In this verse, God describes the qualities of believers who prefer their religious brothers over themselves, even if they themselves are in need. According to Islamic narrations and exegeses, this verse is clearly evident in the conduct and life of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
Verse 9 of Surah al-Hashr
«وَ الَّذينَ تَبَوَّؤُا الدَّارَ وَ الْإيمانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ لا يَجِدُونَ في صُدُورِهِمْ حاجَةً مِمَّا أُوتُوا وَ يُؤْثِرُونَ عَلى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ وَ مَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ»
“And those who were settled in the Home (Medina) and in faith before them, love those who emigrated to them, and find not in their breasts any need for that which they were given, and give preference over themselves, even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul—it is they who are the successful.”
According to a narration from Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, this verse recalls the exalted station of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
In a passage of the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, it is stated:
أَنْتَ الَّذِي تُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَيَتِيماً وَأَسِيراً، لَا تُرِيدُ مِنْهُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُوراً، وَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فِيكَ: (وَ یُؤْثِرُونَ عَلی أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ وَ مَنْ یُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ)
“You are the one who feeds food despite loving it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, seeking neither reward nor thanks from them. And God Almighty said concerning you: ‘And give preference over themselves, even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul—it is they who are the successful.’ (Al-Hashr / 9)”
One of the clearest examples of the connection to the ninth verse of Surah al-Hashr, which is among the ‘Alawi verses of the Noble Quran, is the story of the generosity of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) together with Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) and their children. In difficult situations, they gave their food to the needy while they themselves were hungry. This event is an example of acting upon this verse and has been mentioned in exegetical works.
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) said in his interpretation of the ninth verse of Surah al-Hashr:
«شِيعَةُ عَلِيٍّ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْثِرُونَ إِخْوَانَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كَانُوا بِهِمْ مَخْصَصَةً شَدِيدَةً» (1)
“The Shia of Ali are those who give preference to their brothers over themselves, even if they themselves are in severe need.”
In another narration, Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) referred to this verse and said:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ سَيِّدَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ ... فَإِنَّ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ نَزَلَتْ فِي شَأْنِكَ: (وَ یُؤْثِرُونَ عَلی أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ وَ مَنْ یُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ) (2)
“Peace be upon you, O Amir al-Muminin and master of the successors… for this verse was revealed concerning you: ‘And give preference over themselves, even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul—it is they who are the successful.'”
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), speaking to those present about the occasion of revelation of this verse, said:
أَنْشُدُكُمْ بِاللَّهِ، هَلْ فِيكُمْ أَحَدٌ نَزَلَتْ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ: (وَ یُؤْثِرُونَ عَلی أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ وَ مَنْ یُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ) غَيْرِي؟» قَالُوا: «لَا (3)
“I adjure you by God: is there anyone among you other than me concerning whom this verse was revealed: ‘And give preference over themselves, even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul—it is they who are the successful’?” They said: “No.”
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), referring to the ninth verse of Surah al-Hashr, said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَنْزَلَ الْآيَةَ: (وَ یُؤْثِرُونَ عَلی أَنْفُسِهِمْ) فِي شَأْنِهِمْ (أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) وَ فَاطِمَةَ (عَلَيْهَا السَّلَامُ) وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلَامُ)) (4)
“Indeed, God revealed the verse: ‘And give preference over themselves’ concerning them (Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), Fatimah (peace be upon her), and Hasan and Husayn (peace be upon them)).”
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 16, p. 136; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 65, p. 162
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 16, p. 142; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 97, p. 364
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 16, p. 142; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 31, p. 342; Al-Ihtijaj, vol. 1, p. 143; Nur al-Thaqalayn
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), vol. 16, p. 142; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 31, p. 41
