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Stranded Traveler

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Stranded Traveler

ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ

In Islamic tradition, the term *Ibn as-Sabil* (ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ) refers to a traveler who has become stranded or cut off from their resources and home, finding themselves in need of assistance. This individual holds a special place in the Quran's directives for charity and social welfare, embodying Islam's profound emphasis on compassion and community responsibility. The Quran repeatedly highlights the importance of caring for the stranded traveler. It is considered an act of [true righteousness] to give wealth to them, among other vulnerable groups. Crucially, the stranded traveler is specifically identified as one of the eight categories deserving of Zakah, the obligatory annual charity, an [obligation imposed by Allah]. Furthermore, they are entitled to a share of public funds, such as [war booty (ghanimah)], underscoring their right to communal support in times of hardship. This continuous emphasis on supporting *Ibn as-Sabil* reflects Islam's comprehensive vision of a just society where no one, regardless of their circumstances, is left without care and dignity.

Quran 7 verses

لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَٰهَدُوا۟ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

Laisal birra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibalal mashriqi walmaghribi wa laakinnal birra man aamana billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri wal malaaa 'ikati wal kitaabi wan nabiyyeena wa aatalmaala 'alaa hubbihee zawilqurbaa walyataa maa walmasaakeena wabnas sabeeli wassaaa'ileena wa firriqaabi wa aqaamas salaata wa aataz zakaata walmoofoona bi ahdihim izaa 'aahadoo wasaabireena fil baasaaa'i waddarraaa'i wa heenal baas; ulaaa'ikal lazeena sadaqoo wa ulaaa 'ika humul muttaqoon

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, 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 zakah; [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.

نیکی یہی نہیں کہ تم مشرق یا مغرب کو (قبلہ سمجھ کر ان) کی طرف منہ کرلو بلکہ نیکی یہ ہے کہ لوگ خدا پر اور روز آخرت پر اور فرشتوں پر اور (خدا کی) کتاب پر اور پیغمبروں پر ایمان لائیں۔ اور مال باوجود عزیز رکھنے کے رشتہ داروں اور یتیموں اور محتاجوں اور مسافروں اور مانگنے والوں کو دیں اور گردنوں (کے چھڑانے) میں (خرچ کریں) اور نماز پڑھیں اور زکوٰة دیں۔ اور جب عہد کرلیں تو اس کو پورا کریں۔ اور سختی اور تکلیف میں اور (معرکہ) کارزار کے وقت ثابت قدم رہیں۔ یہی لوگ ہیں جو (ایمان میں) سچے ہیں اور یہی ہیں جو (خدا سے) ڈرنے والے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: From the beginning to this point, the Sarah al-Baqarah is reaching its half-way mark. Until now, the message was addressed mostly to its deniers since the truth of the Holy Qur'an was the first thing to be established. In that context, mention was made of those who accepted it and those who rejected...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: It is not piety that you turn your faces in prayer to the East and to the West. This was revealed in response to the claim made by the Jews and the Christians to this effect. True piety that is the pious person al-birr is also read al-barr in the sense of al-bārr ‘the dutiful person’ is that of the ...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Al-Birr (Piety, Righteousness) This Ayah contains many great wisdoms, encompassing rulings and correct beliefs. As for the explanation of this Ayah, Allah first commanded the believers to face Bayt Al-Maqdis, and then to face the Ka`bah during the prayer. This change was difficult for some of the Pe...

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ

Yas'aloonaka maazaa yunfiqoona qul maaa anfaqtum min khairin falil waalidaini wal aqrabeena walyataamaa wal masaakeeni wabnis sabeel; wa maa taf'aloo min khairin fa innal laaha bihee 'Aleem

They ask you, [O Muhammad], 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, Allah is Knowing of it."

(اے محمدﷺ) لوگ تم سے پوچھتے ہیں کہ (خدا کی راہ میں) کس طرح کا مال خرچ کریں۔ کہہ دو کہ (جو چاہو خرچ کرو لیکن) جو مال خرچ کرنا چاہو وہ (درجہ بدرجہ اہل استحقاق یعنی) ماں باپ اور قریب کے رشتے داروں کو اور یتیموں کو اور محتاجوں کو اور مسافروں کو (سب کو دو) اور جو بھلائی تم کرو گے خدا اس کو جانتا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Imperatives such as - 'leave disbelief and hypocrisy and enter Islam completely', 'listen to none when it comes to obeying the command of Allah', 'spend your wealth and give your life to seek the pleasure of Allah' and 'show fortitude against all sorts of hardships and sufferings' - have ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: They will ask you O Muhammad (s) about what they should expend. This was the question posed by ‘Amr b. al-Jamūh. He was a wealthy elderly man and went to ask the Prophet s what and for whom he should expend; Say to them ‘Whatever you expend of good min khayrin ‘of good’ is an explication of mā ‘what...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Who deserves the Nafaqah (Spending or Charity) Muqatil bin Hayyan said that this Ayah was revealed about the voluntary charity. The Ayah means, `They ask you (O Muhammad ) how they should spend,' as Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid have stated. So, Allah explained it for them, saying: قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن...

وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Wa'lamooo annamaa ghanimtum min sha'in fa anna lillaahi khumusahoo wa lir Rasooli wa lizil qurba walyataamaa walmasaakeeni wabnis sabeeli in kuntum aamantum billaahi wa maaa anzalnaa 'ala 'abdinaa yawmal Furqaani yawmaltaqal jam'aan; wal laahu 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer

And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allah 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 Allah and in that which We sent down to Our Servant on the day of criterion - the day when the two armies met. And Allah, over all things, is competent.

اور جان رکھو کہ جو چیز تم (کفار سے) لوٹ کر لاؤ اس میں سے پانچواں حصہ خدا کا اور اس کے رسول کا اور اہل قرابت کا اور یتیموں کا اور محتاجوں کا اور مسافروں کا ہے۔ اگر تم خدا پر اور اس (نصرت) پر ایمان رکھتے ہو جو (حق وباطل میں) فرق کرنے کے دن (یعنی جنگ بدر میں) جس دن دونوں فوجوں میں مڈھ بھیڑ ہوگئی۔ اپنے بندے (محمدﷺ) پر نازل فرمائی۔ اور خدا ہر چیز پر قادر ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Mentioned in this verse are injunctions of spoils and the law of their distribution. Before we take up the subject in detail, let us under-stand some important words first. Lexically, the word: غَنِیمۃ (ghanimah) is applied to property which is acquired from the enemy. In the terminology ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And know that whatever spoils you have taken you have seized from the disbelievers by force the fifth of it is for God to have it dispensed as He will and for the Messenger and for the kinsmen the kinsmen of the Prophet s from among the Banū Hāshim and the Banū ‘Abd al-Muttalib and the orphans child...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Ruling on the Spoils of War (Ghanimah and Fai ) Allah explains the spoils of war in detail, as He has specifically allowed it for this honorable Ummah over all others. We should mention that the `Ghanimah' refers to war spoils captured from the disbelievers, using armies and instruments of war. As f...

إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

Innamas sadaqaatu lilfuqaraaa'i walmasaakeeni wal 'aamileena 'alaihaa wal mu'al lafati quloobuhum wa fir riqaabi walghaarimeena wa fee sabeelil laahi wabnis sabeeli fareedatam minal laah; wal laahu 'Aleemun Hakeem

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

صدقات (یعنی زکوٰة وخیرات) تو مفلسوں اور محتاجوں اور کارکنان صدقات کا حق ہے اور ان لوگوں کا جن کی تالیف قلوب منظور ہے اور غلاموں کے آزاد کرانے میں اور قرضداروں (کے قرض ادا کرنے میں) اور خدا کی راہ میں اور مسافروں (کی مدد) میں (بھی یہ مال خرچ کرنا چاہیئے یہ حقوق) خدا کی طرف سے مقرر کر دیئے گئے ہیں اور خدا جاننے والا (اور) حکمت والا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Recipients of Sadaqat Objection raised by some hypocrites against the Holy Prophet s, and the answer to that, was given in verses previous to this. It will be recalled that the hypocrites had blamed the Holy Prophet ﷺ that he (God forbid) does not observe justice while disbursing Sadaqat ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: The voluntary almsgivings the alms to be dispensed are only for the poor who cannot find anything to suffice them in the least and the needy who cannot find anything to suffice them and those who work with them that is with these alms in other words the one who collects them the one who takes the oa...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Expenditures of Zakah (Alms) After Allah mentioned the protest that the ignorant hypocrites mentioned to the Prophet about the distribution of alms. He stated that it is He who divided the alms, explained its rulings and decided in its division; He did not delegate this decision to anyone else. Alla...

وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

Wa aati zal qurbaa haqqahoo walmiskeena wabnas sabeeli wa laa tubazzir tabzeeraa

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.

اور رشتہ داروں اور محتاجوں اور مسافروں کو ان کا حق ادا کرو۔ اور فضول خرچی سے مال نہ اُڑاؤ

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary On fulfilling the rights of relatives vigilantly Previous verses were devoted to teachings about the rights of parents and how they should be duly respected. In the present verses, the rights of common relatives have been taken up with the guideline that a relative should be given his or ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And give the kinsman his due of dutifulness and kindness and the needy and the traveller as well; and do not squander by expending for any purpose other than in obedience to God.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Command to maintain the Ties of Kinship and the Prohibition of Extravagance When Allah mentions honoring one's parents, He follows this with the command to treat one's relatives well and to maintain the ties of kinship. According to the Hadith: «أُمَّكَ وَأَبَاكَ، ثُمَّ أَدْنَاكَ أَدْنَاك» وفي ر...

فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

Fa aati zal qurbaa haqqahoo walmiskeena wabnassabeel; zaalika khairul lil lazeena yureedoona Wajhal laahi wa ulaaa'ika humul muflihoon

So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the countenance of Allah, and it is they who will be the successful.

تو اہلِ قرابت اور محتاجوں اور مسافروں کو ان کا حق دیتے رہو۔ جو لوگ رضائے خدا کے طالب ہیں یہ اُن کے حق میں بہتر ہے۔ اور یہی لوگ نجات حاصل کرنے والے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: فَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْ‌بَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ (So give to the kinsman his right, and to the needy and the wayfarer - 30:38). In the preceding verse, it was stated that provision of sustenance is the sole prerogative of Allah Ta` a1a. He makes it abundant for whom He likes and curt...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And give the relative what is his due in the way of dutifulness and kindness and the needy and the wayfarer the traveller give voluntary alms — the Prophet’s community must emulate him in this respect. That is better for those who desire God’s Countenance who desire His reward in exchange for what t...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Command to uphold the Ties of Kinship and the Prohibition of Riba Allah commands giving: ذَا الْقُرْبَى حَقَّهُ (to the kindred his due) his due of respect and upholding the ties of kinship. وَالْمَسَـكِينُ (and to Al-Miskin) the one who has nothing to spend on his needs, or he has something but...

مَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰ فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ كَىْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

Maaa afaaa'al laahu 'alaa Rasoolihee min ahlil quraa falillaahi wa lir Rasooli wa lizil qurbaa wal yataamaa walmasaakeeni wabnis sabeeli kai laa yakoona doolatam bainal aghniyaaa'i minkum; wa maaa aataakumur Rasoolu fakhuzoohu wa maa nahaakum 'anhu fantahoo; wattaqul laaha innal laaha shadeedul-'iqaab

And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans 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 Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

جو مال خدا نے اپنے پیغمبر کو دیہات والوں سے دلوایا ہے وہ خدا کے اور پیغمبر کے اور (پیغمبر کے) قرابت والوں کے اور یتیموں کے اور حاجتمندوں کے اور مسافروں کے لئے ہے۔ تاکہ جو لوگ تم میں دولت مند ہیں ان ہی کے ہاتھوں میں نہ پھرتا رہے۔ سو جو چیز تم کو پیغمبر دیں وہ لے لو۔ اور جس سے منع کریں (اس سے) باز رہو۔ اور خدا سے ڈرتے رہو۔ بےشک خدا سخت عذاب دینے والا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The Concept of Fai' and its Law of Distribution وَمَا أَفَاءَ اللَّـهُ عَلَىٰ رَ‌سُولِهِ مِنْهُمْ (And whatever fai' [ left over property ] Allah has passed on to His Messenger from them, ...59:6). The word afa'a is derived from fai'un which means 'to return'. Thus the time of the afterno...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Whatever spoils God has given to His Messenger from the people of the towns such as al-Safrā’ Wādī al-Qurā and Yanbu‘ belong to God dispensing with it as He will and to the Messenger and to the near of kin the Prophet’s kin from among the Banū Hāshim and the Banū al-Muttālib and the orphans the orph...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Fai' and how it is spent Allah the Exalted explains the regulations for Fai', the booty that the Muslims acquire from the disbelievers, without fighting them or using cavalry and camelry in war against them. For instance, the booty collected from Bani An-Nadir was not acquired because of fightin...

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