Tafsir of Fatir 35:15

"O mankind..."

If you ask: Why is the term "the poor" (al-fuqara') defined with the definite article (al-)?

I say: The intent is to show them that, due to the intensity of their need for Him, they are the very essence of "the poor"—even though all creatures, human and otherwise, are in need of Him. This is because poverty follows weakness; the weaker the needy one is, the poorer they are. God Almighty has testified to man’s weakness in His saying: "And man was created weak" (An-Nisa: 28), and He said: "God is the One who created you from weakness" (Ar-Rum: 54). Had it been indefinite (fuqara'), the meaning would have been "you are some of the poor."

If you ask: "The poor" is contrasted with "the Rich" (al-ghani), so what is the benefit of "the Praiseworthy" (al-hamid)?

I say: Since He established their need for Him and His independence from them—and not every rich person is beneficial in their wealth unless they are generous and bountiful—when He is generous and bountiful, the recipients of His bounty praise Him. By His bounty upon them, He deserves that they praise Him; He is "the Praiseworthy" upon the tongues of His believers.

"The Almighty" (al-aziz): The One who cannot be overcome. This is a warning to them for taking rivals to Him, for their disbelief in His signs, and for their acts of disobedience, as He said: "And if you turn away, He will replace you with a people other than you" (Muhammad: 38). Ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with them both) said: "He will create after you a people who worship Him and do not associate anything with Him."

"And no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls for help with its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he be a near relative. You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen and establish prayer. And whoever purifies himself, he purifies himself only for his own soul. And to God is the destination."