يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا ﴿٢٩﴾ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ عُدْوَانًا وَظُلْمًا فَسَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِ نَارًا ۚ وَكَانَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرًا ﴿٣٠﴾
O you who believe, do not devour one another’s wealth unlawfully, unless it is trade conducted with your mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever does that in aggression and injustice then We will soon cast him into the Fire. And that is easy for Allah. (Surah Nisaa v29 & 30)
In the opening verses of Surah Nisaa, Allah Ta‘ala highlights the creation of all human beings from a single father and mother, binding them in a strong bond of brotherhood. This underscores the importance of protecting and fulfilling the rights of all humanity. The surah then provides a detailed explanation regarding the rights of specific individuals, such as women and orphans. The above verse emphasizes safeguarding human life and property regardless of who the person may be.
The word used in this verse literally means, “do not eat” but in common usage, it refers to usurping another person’s property in any manner—whether by eating, drinking, or using it.
According to Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and most of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), the word, “baatil” (translated as “unlawfully”), encompasses all forms of impermissible and forbidden methods including theft, robbery, usurpation, breach of trust, bribery, interest, gambling, etc.
The first part of this verse declares that devouring another person’s property through false or disapproved methods is unlawful. To exempt permissible means from this ruling, Allah Ta‘ala then states, “unless it be trade with your mutual consent”. This indicates that wealth acquired through mutually agreed trade is not unlawful.
While there are several permissible means of acquiring wealth besides trade, such as inheritance and gifting, trade is the most recognized and primary means of transferring property. Sayyiduna Raafi’ bin Khadeej (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was once asked about the purest means of livelihood, and he replied, “A man’s work with his own hands and every lawful sale transaction.” (Musnad Ahmad #17265)
Allah Ta‘ala then says, “And do not kill yourselves”. According to the consensus of commentators, this verse includes both suicide and the unjust killing of others. The first part of the verse emphasizes the protection of property rights, while the second addresses the right to life. Property is mentioned before life in this verse, likely because violations of property rights are more common. Although unjust killing is a far more serious offense, its occurrence is generally less frequent, which may explain why it is mentioned later.
The concluding phrase, “Indeed, Allah is Most Merciful to you”, signifies that these commandments – prohibiting the unjust consumption of others’ property and unlawful killing – are expressions of divine mercy. They serve as a safeguard against committing these misdeeds, thereby avoiding punishment in the Hereafter and potential worldly consequences.
The next verse, “And whoever does that in aggression and injustice then We will soon cast him into the Fire”, warns that anyone who deliberately and unjustly usurps others’ property or commits unjust killing, despite the clear guidance of the Quraan Majeed, will be cast into the fire of Jahannam by Allah Ta‘ala.
(Adapted from Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 2, pg. 376)