Transliteration:( Wa minal A'raabi mai yattakhizu maa yunfiqu maghramanw wa yatarabbasu bikumud dawaaa'ir; alaihim daaa'iratus saw'; wallaahu Samee'un 'Aleem )
“And among the desert Arabs [269] are those who regard what they spend in Allah’s way as a fine [270] and wait for misfortunes [271] to befall you. Upon them shall be the evil turn. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
In this context, the term "desert Arabs" refers not to all Arabs, but specifically to those living in rural or Bedouin areas, as opposed to the urban residents of Arabia. The word "A'raab" specifically denotes the Bedouins or those in the more remote, rural areas of Arabia. These individuals, due to their environment and lifestyle, were sometimes distanced from the religious teachings and the social norms of the more urbanized regions.
The verse refers to certain Bedouins who, although they give charity and spend on pilgrimage, do so begrudgingly—as if it were a tax. They do not give out of genuine joy or generosity, but rather out of obligation. Only charity given with sincerity and from the heart, with a willingness to please Allah, is truly worthy of Divine acceptance. Charity given begrudgingly or with ill intent is not valued in the sight of Allah.
These Bedouins are described as waiting for misfortunes to befall the Muslims, hoping for the decline of Muslim power so they can take advantage of the situation. They wish for the defeat of the Muslims so that they can overpower them.
This verse was revealed specifically regarding the villagers from the tribes of Asad, Ghatfaan, and Tameem. It serves as a prophecy that misfortune would befall them, not the believers, and they would remain in bondage at all times. Those who regard the pious servants of Allah with contempt will always remain in disgrace and misery, as history has shown time and again. This reminds us that those who oppose the rightful followers of Allah's guidance and those who remain arrogant will face punishment and humiliation.
The tafsir of Surah Taubah verse 98 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Taubah ayat 97 which provides the complete commentary from verse 97 through 99.
(9:98) And among the bedouin Arabs there are such as regard whatever they spend (in the Way of Allah) as a fine[96] and wait for some misfortune to befall you. May ill fortune befall them! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
96. This means that they regarded the payment of Zakat dues as a fine and the expenditure on hospitality, an Islamic duty, a penalty. Likewise, if they had to make any contributions towards Jihad, they did so to show that they were loyal to the Islamic state and not because they wanted to please Allah by giving sincere monetary help for His cause.
[499]- i.e., a fine or penalty.
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