[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Feeding the Miskeen


فَلَيۡسَ لَـهُ الۡيَوۡمَ هٰهُنَا حَمِيۡمٌۙ‏ ٣٥ وَّلَا طَعَامٌ اِلَّا مِنۡ غِسۡلِيۡنٍۙ‏ ٣٦ لَّا يَاۡكُلُهٗۤ اِلَّا الۡخٰطِئُوْنَ‏ ٣٧

So there is not for him here this Day any devoted friend Nor any food except from the discharge of wounds; None will eat it except the sinners.

[Al-Quran 69:35-38, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Haqqah describes the condition of the people, on Judgement Day, who did not believe in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and did not feed the miskeen. They will have failed their exam, and will be 'booked' on the left, criminals, condemned to eternal Hell. 

Ayat 17:26 screenshot from quran.com

So, who are the miskeen? 

The definition of masakeen (plural noun), according to Surah al-Kahf, is people who work hard but earn little:

اَمَّا السَّفِيۡنَةُ فَكَانَتۡ لِمَسٰكِيۡنَ يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ فِى الۡبَحۡرِ فَاَرَدْتُّ اَنۡ اَعِيۡبَهَا وَكَانَ وَرَآءَهُمۡ مَّلِكٌ يَّاۡخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِيۡنَةٍ غَصۡبًا‏  ٧٩

As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea. So I intended to cause defect in it as there was after them a king who seized every [good] ship by force.

[Al-Quran 18:79, Translation: Saheeh International]

Moses (Musa عليه السلام) was on a journey, with a person. (a servant of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎), to learn 'rushd' from him. Rushd means legally correct in context of the 'Deen' (Law of Recompense). This person made a hole in the ship of the masakeen, so that the king would not take their defective ship, thus saving their means of livelihood for them. 


The definition of miskeen, according to Surah al-Balad, is a person who is down in the dust: 

فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ ۙ‏ ١٣ اَوۡ اِطۡعٰمٌ فِىۡ يَوۡمٍ ذِىۡ مَسۡغَبَةٍ ۙ‏ ١٤ يَّتِيۡمًا ذَا مَقۡرَبَةٍ ۙ‏ ١٥ اَوۡ مِسۡكِيۡنًا ذَا مَتۡرَبَةٍ ؕ‏ ١٦

It is the freeing of a slave Or feeding on a day of severe hunger An orphan of near relationship Or a needy person in misery

[Al-Quran 90:13-16, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Balad (land/country) lists the things expected from free citizens to do. It includes the feeding of the miskeen who is ذَا مَتۡرَبَةٍ . The root of this word shares with the word for dust, as can be seen from this screenshot: 









Looking up multiple English translations of Q90:16

or to a poor person in distress,

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Or a needy person in misery

— Saheeh International

or to a needy person lying in dust- -

— T. Usmani

or a poor person in distress,

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

or to a destitute lying in dust;

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

Or some poor wretch in misery,

— M. Pickthall

Or to the indigent (down) in the dust.

— A. Yusuf Ali

Or to a Miskîn (poor) cleaving to dust (out of misery).

— Al-Hilali & Khan


The Quran repeatedly exhorts the feeding of the masakeen (singular: miskeen): 




















Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

The masakeen have a known right in the rizq that is provided to us. And so, the ten precepts of wisdom recited in Surah al-Isra includes this directive regarding spending:  

وَاٰتِ ذَا الۡقُرۡبٰى حَقَّهٗ وَالۡمِسۡكِيۡنَ وَابۡنَ السَّبِيۡلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرۡ تَبۡذِيۡرًا‏ ٢٦ اِنَّ الۡمُبَذِّرِيۡنَ كَانُوۡۤا اِخۡوَانَ الشَّيٰطِيۡنِ​ ؕ وَكَانَ الشَّيۡطٰنُ لِرَبِّهٖ كَفُوۡرًا‏ ٢٧ وَاِمَّا تُعۡرِضَنَّ عَنۡهُمُ ابۡتِغَآءَ رَحۡمَةٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكَ تَرۡجُوۡهَا فَقُلْ لَّهُمۡ قَوۡلًا مَّيۡسُوۡرًا‏ ٢٨ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ يَدَكَ مَغۡلُوۡلَةً اِلٰى عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبۡسُطۡهَا كُلَّ الۡبَسۡطِ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَلُوۡمًا مَّحۡسُوۡرًا‏ ٢٩ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ الرِّزۡقَ لِمَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهٖ خَبِيۡرًۢا بَصِيۡرًا‏ ٣٠

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect, then speak to them a gentle word. And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent. Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing.

[Al-Quran 17:26-30, Translation: Saheeh International]


In Surah al-Qalam is presented a real-life example of a people who lost their garden, in this life, because of their stinginess: 

اِنَّا بَلَوۡنٰهُمۡ كَمَا بَلَوۡنَاۤ اَصۡحٰبَ الۡجَـنَّةِ​ ۚ اِذۡ اَقۡسَمُوۡا لَيَصۡرِمُنَّهَا مُصۡبِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ١٧

وَلَا يَسۡتَثۡنُوۡنَ‏ ١٨

فَطَافَ عَلَيۡهَا طَآٮِٕفٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكَ وَهُمۡ نَآٮِٕمُوۡنَ‏ ١٩

فَاَصۡبَحَتۡ كَالصَّرِيۡمِۙ‏ ٢٠

فَتَـنَادَوۡا مُصۡبِحِيۡنَۙ‏ ٢١

اَنِ اغۡدُوۡا عَلٰى حَرۡثِكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ صٰرِمِيۡنَ‏ ٢٢

فَانۡطَلَقُوۡا وَهُمۡ يَتَخَافَتُوۡنَۙ‏ ٢٣

اَنۡ لَّا يَدۡخُلَنَّهَا الۡيَوۡمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ مِّسۡكِيۡنٌۙ‏ ٢٤

وَّغَدَوۡا عَلٰى حَرۡدٍ قٰدِرِيۡنَ‏ ٢٥

فَلَمَّا رَاَوۡهَا قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّا لَـضَآلُّوۡنَۙ‏ ٢٦

بَلۡ نَحۡنُ مَحۡرُوۡمُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning

Without making exception.

So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

And it became as though reaped.

And they called one another at morning,

[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."

So they set out, while lowering their voices,

[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."

And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.

But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;

Rather, we have been deprived."

[Al-Quran 68:17-28, Translation: Saheeh International]

The companions of the garden (orchard farmers) did not want to share anything with anyone. They planned, and Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ planned, and therefore, the plan of the companions of the garden (orchard farmers) completely failed. Their refusal to share the reap with the poor resulted in their losing all the fruits, altogether. 



The Quran links failure in the Hereafter with failure to feed the miskeen in this world.


1. Surah al-Haqqah links lack of faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ to not feeding the miskeen: 

اِنَّهٗ كَانَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰهِ الۡعَظِيۡمِۙ‏ ٣٣ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلٰى طَعَامِ الۡمِسۡكِيۡنِؕ‏ ٣٤

Indeed, he did not used to believe in Allāh, the Most Great, Nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor.

[Al-Quran 69:33-34, Translation: Saheeh International]


2. Surah al-Muddathir lists the following: 

مَا سَلَـكَكُمۡ فِىۡ سَقَرَ‏ ٤٢ قَالُوۡا لَمۡ نَكُ مِنَ الۡمُصَلِّيۡنَۙ‏ ٤٣ وَلَمۡ نَكُ نُطۡعِمُ الۡمِسۡكِيۡنَۙ‏ ٤٤ وَكُنَّا نَخُوۡضُ مَعَ الۡخَـآٮِٕضِيۡنَۙ‏ ٤٥ وَ كُنَّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَوۡمِ الدِّيۡنِۙ‏ ٤٦

[And asking them], "What put you into Saqar?" They will say, "We were not of those who prayed, Nor did we used to feed the poor. And we used to enter into vain discourse with those who engaged [in it], And we used to deny the Day of Recompense

[Al-Quran 74:42-46, Translation: Saheeh International]


3. Surah al-Fajr lists the following:  

كَلَّا​ بَلۡ لَّا تُكۡرِمُوۡنَ الۡيَتِيۡمَۙ‏ ١٧ وَلَا تَحٰٓضُّوۡنَ عَلٰى طَعَامِ الۡمِسۡكِيۡنِۙ‏ ١٨ وَتَاۡكُلُوۡنَ التُّرَاثَ اَكۡلًا لَّـمًّا ۙ‏ ١٩ وَّتُحِبُّوۡنَ الۡمَالَ حُبًّا جَمًّا ؕ‏ ٢٠

No! But you do not honor the orphan And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor. And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether, And you love wealth with immense love.

[Al-Quran 89:17-20, Translation: Saheeh International]


4. Surah al-Ma`un describes the denier of recompense: 

اَرَءَيۡتَ الَّذِىۡ يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّيۡنِؕ‏ ١ فَذٰلِكَ الَّذِىۡ يَدُعُّ الۡيَتِيۡمَۙ‏ ٢ وَ لَا يَحُضُّ عَلٰى طَعَامِ الۡمِسۡكِيۡنِؕ‏ ٣ فَوَيۡلٌ لِّلۡمُصَلِّيۡنَۙ‏ ٤

Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan And does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who pray

[Al-Quran 107:1-5, Translation: Saheeh International]


So, one of the most essential action items of the believers who fear the Day, and desire to inherit the Gardens of the Hereafter, is the feeding of the masakeen (singular: miskeen): the people who are in misery, down in the dust, starving, as well as the people who are working, but are still poor.  


As Surah al-Insaan describes such believers: 

يُوۡفُوۡنَ بِالنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُوۡنَ يَوۡمًا كَانَ شَرُّهٗ مُسۡتَطِيۡرًا‏  ٧ وَيُطۡعِمُوۡنَ الطَّعَامَ عَلٰى حُبِّهٖ مِسۡكِيۡنًا وَّيَتِيۡمًا وَّاَسِيۡرًا‏  ٨ اِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِـوَجۡهِ اللّٰهِ لَا نُرِيۡدُ مِنۡكُمۡ جَزَآءً وَّلَا شُكُوۡرًا‏ ٩

They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], "We feed you only for the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

[Al-Quran 76:7-9, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Looking at the directives in the rest of the ayaat of the search result screenshot above:   

Surah al-Baqarah recounts the Covenant with the Bani Israel:

وَاِذۡ اَخَذۡنَا مِيۡثَاقَ بَنِىۡٓ اِسۡرَآءِيۡلَ لَا تَعۡبُدُوۡنَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ وَبِالۡوَالِدَيۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا وَّذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰکِيۡنِ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنًا وَّاَقِيۡمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّکٰوةَ ؕ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ اِلَّا قَلِيۡلًا مِّنۡکُمۡ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ مُّعۡرِضُوۡنَ‏ ٨٣

And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allāh; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakāh." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

[Al-Quran 2:83, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Baqarah lists the essential qualities required to re-attain the state of birr (pristine purity):

۞ لَيۡسَ الۡبِرَّ اَنۡ تُوَلُّوۡا وُجُوۡهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ الۡمَشۡرِقِ وَ الۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلٰـكِنَّ الۡبِرَّ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَالۡمَلٰٓٮِٕکَةِ وَالۡكِتٰبِ وَالنَّبِيّٖنَ​ۚ وَاٰتَى الۡمَالَ عَلٰى حُبِّهٖ ذَوِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنَ وَابۡنَ السَّبِيۡلِۙ وَالسَّآٮِٕلِيۡنَ وَفِى الرِّقَابِ​ۚ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَى الزَّکٰوةَ ​ ۚ وَالۡمُوۡفُوۡنَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ اِذَا عٰهَدُوۡا ۚ وَالصّٰبِرِيۡنَ فِى الۡبَاۡسَآءِ وَالضَّرَّآءِ وَحِيۡنَ الۡبَاۡسِؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ الَّذِيۡنَ صَدَقُوۡا ؕ وَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡمُتَّقُوۡنَ‏ ١٧٧

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allāh, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakāh; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

[Al-Quran 2:177, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Baqarah commands the feeding of a miskeen  as fidya in lieu of not fasting for the few days:  

اَيَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍؕ فَمَنۡ كَانَ مِنۡكُمۡ مَّرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ​ؕ وَعَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُطِيۡقُوۡنَهٗ فِدۡيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِيۡنٍؕ فَمَنۡ تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرًا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّهٗ ؕ وَاَنۡ تَصُوۡمُوۡا خَيۡرٌ لَّـکُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ١٨٤

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers good [i.e., excess] - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.

[Al-Quran 2:184, Translation: Saheeh International] 



Surah al-Baqarah includes the miskeen on whom one should spend (infaq)

يَسۡـــَٔلُوۡنَكَ مَاذَا يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ؕ قُلۡ مَآ اَنۡفَقۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ خَيۡرٍ فَلِلۡوَالِدَيۡنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبِيۡنَ وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِ​ؕ وَمَا تَفۡعَلُوۡا مِنۡ خَيۡرٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِهٖ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ ٢١٥

They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it."

[Al-Quran 2:215, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah an-Nisa instructs regarding the masakeen present at the time of distribution of inheritance

وَاِذَا حَضَرَ الۡقِسۡمَةَ اُولُوا الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنُ فَارۡزُقُوۡهُمۡ مِّنۡهُ وَقُوۡلُوۡا لَهُمۡ قَوۡلًا مَّعۡرُوۡفًا‏ ٨

And when [other] relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the [time of] division, then provide for them [something] out of it [i.e., the estate] and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.

[Al-Quran 4:8, Translation: Saheeh International] 


After listing the Law of Inheritance, and explaining why men have been made 'qawwam' over women, again we find the exhortation to spend, and the mention of the masakeen, and linking the outcome with the Hereafter: 

۞ وَاعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُوۡا بِهٖ شَيۡــًٔـا​ ؕ وَّبِالۡوَالِدَيۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا وَّبِذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَ الۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَالۡجَـارِ ذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡجَـارِ الۡجُـنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالۡجَـنۡۢبِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِ ۙ وَمَا مَلَـكَتۡ اَيۡمَانُكُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَنۡ كَانَ مُخۡتَالًا فَخُوۡرَا ۙ‏ ٣٦ اۨلَّذِيۡنَ يَـبۡخَلُوۡنَ وَيَاۡمُرُوۡنَ النَّاسَ بِالۡبُخۡلِ وَيَكۡتُمُوۡنَ مَاۤ اٰتٰٮهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡ فَضۡلِهٖ​ ؕ وَ اَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ عَذَابًا مُّهِيۡنًا​ ۚ‏ ٣٧ وَالَّذِيۡنَ يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَهُمۡ رِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَلَا بِالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ​ؕ وَمَنۡ يَّكُنِ الشَّيۡطٰنُ لَهٗ قَرِيۡنًا فَسَآءَ قَرِيۡنًا‏ ٣٨ وَمَاذَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ لَوۡ اٰمَنُوۡا بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَاَنۡفَقُوۡا مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ اللّٰهُ​ ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ بِهِمۡ عَلِيۡمًا‏ ٣٩ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ​ ۚ وَاِنۡ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُّضٰعِفۡهَا وَيُؤۡتِ مِنۡ لَّدُنۡهُ اَجۡرًا عَظِيۡمًا‏ ٤٠ فَكَيۡـفَ اِذَا جِئۡـنَا مِنۡ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ ۭ بِشَهِيۡدٍ وَّجِئۡـنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ شَهِيۡدًا ؕ‏ ٤١

Worship Allāh and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allāh does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful, Who are stingy and enjoin upon [other] people stinginess and conceal what Allāh has given them of His bounty - and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment - And [also] those who spend of their wealth to be seen by the people and believe not in Allāh nor in the Last Day. And he to whom Satan is a companion - then evil is he as a companion. And what [harm would come] upon them if they believed in Allāh and the Last Day and spent out of what Allāh provided for them? And Allāh is ever, about them, Knowing. Indeed, Allāh does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward. So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you, [O Muḥammad], against these [people] as a witness?

[Al-Quran 4:36-41, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Maidah lists the feeding of the ten masakeen as the expiation of breaking intended oaths:

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللّٰهُ بِاللَّغۡوِ فِىۡۤ اَيۡمَانِكُمۡ وَلٰـكِنۡ يُّؤَاخِذُكُمۡ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُّمُ الۡاَيۡمَانَ​ ۚ فَكَفَّارَتُهٗۤ اِطۡعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسٰكِيۡنَ مِنۡ اَوۡسَطِ مَا تُطۡعِمُوۡنَ اَهۡلِيۡكُمۡ اَوۡ كِسۡوَتُهُمۡ اَوۡ تَحۡرِيۡرُ رَقَبَةٍ​ ؕ فَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ ثَلٰثَةِ اَيَّامٍ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ كَفَّارَةُ اَيۡمَانِكُمۡ اِذَا حَلَفۡتُمۡ​ ؕ وَاحۡفَظُوۡۤا اَيۡمَانَكُمۡ​ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمۡ اٰيٰتِهٖ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ‏ ٨٩

Allāh will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses [i.e., revealed law] that you may be grateful.

[Al-Quran 5:89, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Hunting is forbidden in the state of Ihram. So, if, in the state of ihram, a pilgrim kills a game, then one of the ways to expiate the sin is the feeding of the masakeen

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَقۡتُلُوا الصَّيۡدَ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ حُرُمٌ​ ؕ وَمَنۡ قَتَلَهٗ مِنۡكُمۡ مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآءٌ مِّثۡلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ النَّعَمِ يَحۡكُمُ بِهٖ ذَوَا عَدۡلٍ مِّنۡكُمۡ هَدۡيًاۢ بٰلِغَ الۡـكَعۡبَةِ اَوۡ كَفَّارَةٌ طَعَامُ مَسٰكِيۡنَ اَوۡ عَدۡلُ ذٰ لِكَ صِيَامًا لِّيَذُوۡقَ وَبَالَ اَمۡرِهٖ​ ؕ عَفَا اللّٰهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ​ ؕ وَمَنۡ عَادَ فَيَنۡتَقِمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡهُ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَزِيۡزٌ ذُو انْتِقَامٍ‏ ٩٥

O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of iḥrām. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allāh] delivered to the Kaʿbah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his matter [i.e., deed]. Allāh has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allāh will take retribution from him. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.

[Al-Quran 5:95, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Anfal states about war booty

۞ وَاعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّمَا غَنِمۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ شَىۡءٍ فَاَنَّ لِلّٰهِ خُمُسَهٗ وَ لِلرَّسُوۡلِ وَلِذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِ ۙ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ اٰمَنۡتُمۡ بِاللّٰهِ وَمَاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلٰى عَبۡدِنَا يَوۡمَ الۡفُرۡقَانِ يَوۡمَ الۡتَقَى الۡجَمۡعٰنِ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ‏ ٤١

And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allāh is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the [stranded] traveler, if you have believed in Allāh and in that which We sent down to Our Servant4 on the day of criterion [i.e., decisive encounter] - the day when the two armies met [at Badr]. And Allāh, over all things, is competent.

[Al-Quran 8:41, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Tawbah lists the masakeen as one of the eligible recipients of 'sadaqaat'

۞ اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَالۡعٰمِلِيۡنَ عَلَيۡهَا وَالۡمُؤَلَّـفَةِ قُلُوۡبُهُمۡ وَفِى الرِّقَابِ وَالۡغٰرِمِيۡنَ وَفِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِ​ؕ فَرِيۡضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِيۡمٌ حَكِيۡمٌ‏  ٦٠

Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islām] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allāh and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

[Al-Quran 9:60, Translation: Saheeh International] 

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Surah al-Isra (Q17:26) and Surah al-Kahf (Q18:79) are already quoted above

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Surah Al-Nur exhorts continuing to help the needy, pardoning and overlooking their wrongs, in hopes of Allah's forgiveness for our own sins: 

وَلَا يَاۡتَلِ اُولُوا الۡـفَضۡلِ مِنۡكُمۡ وَالسَّعَةِ اَنۡ يُّؤۡتُوۡۤا اُولِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنَ وَالۡمُهٰجِرِيۡنَ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ ​​ۖ  وَلۡيَـعۡفُوۡا وَلۡيَـصۡفَحُوۡا​ ؕ اَلَا تُحِبُّوۡنَ اَنۡ يَّغۡفِرَ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمۡ​ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏ ٢٢

And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allāh, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allāh should forgive you? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

[Al-Quran 24:22, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Rum exhorts giving to the needy to those who seek the Face of Allah

فَاٰتِ ذَا الۡقُرۡبٰى حَقَّهٗ وَ الۡمِسۡكِيۡنَ وَابۡنَ السَّبِيۡلِ​ؕ ذٰلِكَ خَيۡرٌ لِّلَّذِيۡنَ يُرِيۡدُوۡنَ وَجۡهَ اللّٰهِ​ وَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏  ٣٨

So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh, and it is they who will be the successful.

[Al-Quran 30:38, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Mujadila lists the means of expiation of sin of the man who does 'zihar' (The saying by a husband to his wife, "You are to me like the back of my mother," meaning unlawful to approach. This was a type of divorce practiced by the Arabs before the prophethood of Muḥammad (ﷺ).):  

فَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَجِدۡ فَصِيَامُ شَهۡرَيۡنِ مُتَتَابِعَيۡنِ مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ يَّتَمَآسَّاؕ فَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَسۡتَطِعۡ فَاِطۡعَامُ سِتِّيۡنَ مِسۡكِيۡنًا​ؕ ذٰلِكَ لِتُؤۡمِنُوۡا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوۡلِهٖ​ؕ وَتِلۡكَ حُدُوۡدُ اللّٰهِ​ؕ وَلِلۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ‏ ٤

And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allāh and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allāh. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.

[Al-Quran 57:4, Translation: Saheeh International] 


Surah al-Hashr states regarding what was obtained from the towns of the People of the Book when they were expelled by Allah عزوجل, who cast terror in their hearts, so that they all left their fortresses, in exile:  

مَاۤ اَفَآءَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰى رَسُوۡلِهٖ مِنۡ اَهۡلِ الۡقُرٰى فَلِلّٰهِ وَلِلرَّسُوۡلِ وَلِذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَالۡيَتٰمٰى وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنِ وَابۡنِ السَّبِيۡلِۙ كَىۡ لَا يَكُوۡنَ دُوۡلَةًۢ بَيۡنَ الۡاَغۡنِيَآءِ مِنۡكُمۡ​ ؕ وَمَاۤ اٰتٰٮكُمُ الرَّسُوۡلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَ مَا نَهٰٮكُمۡ عَنۡهُ فَانْتَهُوۡا​ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ​ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ​ۘ‏ ٧

And what Allāh restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allāh and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the needy and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.

[Al-Quran 58:7, Translation: Saheeh International] 

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Surah al-Qalam (Q68:24) and the rest of the search results are already covered in this post. 

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Last updated on: June 18, 2024



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