Al-Israa (The Night Journey)

29. “And do not make your hand to be shackled to your neck nor stretch it to the utmost (limit) of its stretching, so that you should sit down blamed, empty-handed.”

As observing the issue of moderation in everything in life, even in cases of sharing one’s wealth with others, is a prime factor, the Qur’an stresses this matter in this noble verse, saying:

“And do not make your hand to be shackled to your neck…”

This expression provides a delicate allusion to the fact that one must be generous and not be a miser as those who behave in such a way as if their hands are both in chains and tied up to their necks, thus unable to give away anything to anyone.

This verse also recommends all not to be overgenerous and open-handed so as not to be blamed and get stuck with your job.

The verse continues saying:

“…nor stretch it to the utmost (limit) of its stretching, so that you should sit down blamed, empty-handed.”

Imam Sadiq (as) remarked:

“The Qur’anic term /mahsūr/ here is meant envy, poverty, and empty-handedness. Some also claim that ‘blame’ concerns with the beginning of the verse which refers to ‘miserliness’ while the term ‘empty-handed’ alludes to ‘lavishness’ in spending and is related to the end of the verse.”

A woman once sent down her son to the Prophet (S) and asked his shirt for sanctification purposes of blessings. The Prophet (S) gave away his only shirt and as he had no other one to put on, he did not get out of the house for attending his prayers. This holy verse was revealed indicating that generosity does not imply that one gives away his only single shirt.

We have it in another quotation, saying: Some gold was brought and handed down to the Prophet (S) and he gave the whole of it away to the poor instantly. On the following day, a beggar came up to the Prophet (S), asked for something. He had nothing left to give him. The beggar insulted him.

As the Prophet (S) had nothing to give him, was saddened upon which occasion when this verse was revealed.¹