17. Surah Al Isra

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

Transliteration Wa a_ti zal qurba_ haqqahu_ wal miskina wa-bnas sabili wa la_ tubazzir tabzira_(n).

وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَى حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ...   

17: 26.  And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer:

C2208. In the Jewish Decalogue, which was given to a primitive and hard-hearted people, this refinement of Kindness, -to those in want and to wayfarers (i.e., total strangers whom you come across) finds no place.

Nor was there much danger of their wasting their substance out of exuberance. Even the command "to honour thy father and mother" comes after the ceremonial observance of the Sabbath.

With us, the worship of Allah is linked up with kindness;

-         to parents, kindred,

-         those in want,

-         those who are far from their homes though they may be total strangers to us.

It is not mere verbal kindness. They have certain rights which must be fulfilled.

...وَلاَ تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦﴾

but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

C2209. All charity, kindness, and help are conditioned by our own resources. There is no merit if we merely spend out of bravado or for idle show.

How many families are ruined by extravagant expenses at weddings, funerals, etc., or (as they may call it) to "oblige friends or relatives", or to give to able-bodied beggars?

To no one was this command more necessary than it is to Muslims of the present day.

Transliteration Innal mubazzirina ka_nu_ ikhwa_nasy syaya_tin(i), wa ka_nasy syaita_nu li rabbihi kafu_ra_(n).

إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُواْ إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ...   

17: 27.  Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones;

...وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا ﴿٢٧﴾

and the Evil One is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful.

C2210. Spendthrifts are not merely fools. They are of the same family as the Satan.

And the Satan himself-fell by his ingratitude to Allah. So those who misuse or squander Allah's gifts are also ungrateful to Allah.

Others Version:

17: 26

Pickthall Give the kinsman his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and squander not (thy wealth) in wantonness.

17: 27

Pickthall Lo! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils, and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord.

Asad’s version

17:26 And give his due to the near of kin, 30 as well as to the needy and the wayfarer, 31 but do not squander [thy substance] senselessly. 32 (17:27) Behold, the squanderers are, indeed, of the ilk of the satans - inasmuch as Satan has indeed proved most ungrateful to his Sustainer. 33

17:28 And if thou [must] turn aside from those [that are in want, because thou thyself art] seeking to obtain thy Sustainer's grace and hoping for it, 34 at least speak unto them with gentle speech.

17:29

And neither allow thy hand to remain shackled to thy neck, 35 nor stretch it forth to the utmost limit [of thy capacity], lest thou find thyself blamed [by thy dependants], or even destitute.