Transliteration:( Qul law antum tamlikoona khazaaa'ina rahmati Rabbeee izal la amsaktum khash yatal infaaq; wa kaanal insaanu qatooraa (section 11) )
"Say, 'If you had been the owners of the treasures of the mercy of my Lord, you would have surely held it back because of fear of spending [208]. And man is a great miser [209].'" [100]
This verse addresses the disbelievers, stating that:
If they were given control over Allah’s abundant mercies and blessings,
they would hoard and withhold them out of fear that these treasures might run out.
Their spending would be limited and cautious, only to preserve what they have for themselves.
This contrasts with the Prophet ﷺ, who is the true owner of Allah’s bounties.
Allah says:
"O beloved Rasool, We have bestowed upon you an abundance of good" (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:11).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"I have been given the keys to the treasures of the world."
He further said:
"If I so desire, the mountains of gold would walk with me."
Thus, the verse is directed at the infidels and does not imply that the Prophet ﷺ lacks power or authority over Allah’s blessings.
Here the word ‘man’ specifically refers to the disbeliever or a negligent, miserly person, not to mankind in general.
The generosity of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is unmatched throughout the world.
This shows the deep contrast between the selfishness of the disbelievers and the unparalleled generosity of the Prophet ﷺ.
100. Say: “If you possessed the treasure of the mercy of my Lord, then you would surely hold back for fear of spending, and man is ever miserly!”
Allah says to His Messenger : “Tell them, O Muhammad, even if you had authority over the treasures of Allah, you would refrain from spending for fear of exhausting it.” Ibn `Abbas and Qatadah said, “This means for fear of poverty,” lest it run out, despite the fact that it can never be exhausted or come to an end. This is because it is part of your nature. So Allah says:
(and man is ever miserly.) Ibn `Abbas and Qatadah said: “(This means) stingy and holding back.” Allah says:
(Or have they a share in the dominion Then in that case they would not give mankind even a Naqira.) (4:53), meaning that even if they had a share in the authority of Allah, they would not have given anything to anyone, not even the amount of a Naqira (speck on the back of a date stone). Allah describes man as he really is, except for those whom Allah helps and guides. Miserliness, discontent and impatience are human characteristics, as Allah says:
(Verily, man was created very impatient; irritable when evil touches him; and stingy when good touches him. Except those who are devoted to Salah (prayers). ) (70:19-22). And there are many other such references in the Qur’an. This is an indication of the generosity and kindness of Allah. In the Two Sahihs it says:
(Allah’s Hand is full and never decreases because of His giving night and day. Do you not see how much He has given since He created the heavens and the earth, yet that which is in His right hand never decreases.)
(17:100) Tell them, (O Prophet): “Even if you owned the treasures of my Lord’s Mercy you would have held them back for fear of spending them.” Man is indeed ever niggardly.[112]
112. This verse also suggests the same thing that has already been mentioned in Ayat 55. This hints at the real psychological reason why the disbelievers of Makkah were not inclined to accept Muhammad (peace be upon him), their contemporary, as a Prophet. For thus they would have to acknowledge his superiority and one does not easily acknowledge the superiority of his contemporary. This verse may be expanded like this: Those people who are so narrow minded that they are unwilling even to acknowledge the real superiority of another, cannot be expected to be generous in spending on others, if they possessed the keys of the treasures of Allah’s blessings.
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