In Surah Al Maidah, verse 55, the Holy Qur’an declares:
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلوةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ
الزَّكُوةَ وَهُمْ رَكِعُونَ )
“Only Allah is your friend and His Messenger and the believers that they establish the prayer and pay the poor-due and are bowed down before Allah.”
It is reported that this verse was revealed at that moment when Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Ali Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was in Ruku (bowing). A poor person approached Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Ali Radi Allahu ‘Anhu and asked him for charity. On his finger there was a silver ring which fell off and in this way, the need of this poor person was fulfilled. In other words, these are those people who even help people while they are in Salaah. (Tafseer Kabeer).
1. Text and Translation
• Arabic Text. إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
• Transliteration. Innama waliyyukumullahu wa rasuluhu walladhina amanu alladhina yuqimunas-salata wa yu’tunaz-zakata wa hum raki’un.
• Core Meaning. The verse begins with Innama (a particle of exclusivity meaning “only” or “verily”), restricting true allegiance, guardianship, and friendship (Wilayah) to Allah, His Messenger, and a specific group of believers characterized by two traits: establishing prayer and giving charity while bowing (Ruku).
2. Historical Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
• The Incident of the Ring. As noted in your text, classical exegeses—including Fakhr al-Din al-Razi’s Tafsir al-Kabir, Al-Tabari’s Jami’ al-Bayan, and Al-Wahidi’s Asbab al-Nuzul—record narrations stating that this verse was revealed regarding Ali ibn Abi Talib. While Ali was bowing in voluntary prayer inside the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, a beggar entered asking for help. Because he was in the middle of prayer and could not speak, Ali extended his hand, allowing the beggar to remove a silver ring from his finger.
• Broader Context. Some Sunni scholars also note that while the specific occasion of revelation (Sabab al-Nuzul) points to Ali’s act of generosity, the plural phrasing (“those who believe”) carries a universal moral lesson. It praises all believers who maintain humility before God while actively caring for the poor.
1. Ayat aur uska Tarjuma
• Arabic Text. إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
• Transliteration. Innama waliyyukumullahu wa rasuluhu walladhina amanu alladhina yuqimunas-salata wa yu’tunaz-zakata wa hum raki’un.
• Asal Matlab. Yeh ayat Innama (jiska matlab “sirf” ya “beshak” hota hai) se shuru hoti hai. Ismein kaha gaya hai ke tumhare asli dost, madadgar, aur sarparast (Wali) sirf Allah, uske Rasool, aur woh imaan wale hain jo namaz qayam karte hain aur ruku ki halat mein zakat (sadqa) dete hain.
2. Shan-e-Nuzool (Historical Context)
• Angoothi (Ring) ka Waqia. Classic tafseeron—jaise Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi ki Tafsir al-Kabir aur Imam Tabari ki kitabon—mein yeh riwayat milti hai ke yeh ayat Hazrat Ali (Radi Allahu ‘Anhu) ke baare mein nazil hui thi. Jab Hazrat Ali Masjid-e-Nabawi mein nafl namaz padh rahe the aur ruku ki halat mein the, tab ek gareeb shakhs ne aakar madad maangi. Namaz mein hone ki wajah se woh bol nahi sakte the, isliye unhone apna haath aage badhaya aur us gareeb ne unki ungli se chandi ki angoothi utar li.
• Aam Paigham. Kuch Sunni ulama yeh bhi kehte hain ke bhale hi is ayat ke nazil hone ka khas sabab Hazrat Ali ka yeh amal tha, lekin ismein jama (plural – “jo imaan laye”) ka lafz istemal hua hai. Iska matlab yeh hai ke yeh un sabhi momino ki tareef hai jo Allah ke samne jhukte hain aur gareebon ki madad karte hain.
3. Theological Interpretations (Ulama ki Raye)
• Wali ke Maani. Arabic mein Wali ke kai gehre matlab hote hain, jaise “dost,” “madadgar,” “sathi,” aur “sarparast/leader.”
• Sunni Nazariya. Sunni scholars yahan Wali ka matlab “madadgar” aur “sacha dost” lete hain. Pichhli aur agli ayaton (5:51–56) ke hisab se, Qur’an momino ko hidayat deta hai ke woh apni wafadari aur dosti Allah, Rasool, aur nek logon ke saath rakhein. Hazrat Ali ka waqia iski sabse behtareen misal hai.
• Shia Nazariya. Shia scholars is ayat mein Wali ka matlab “sarparast” ya “roohani aur duniyawi leader” lete hain. Unke mutabiq, kyunki Innama is darje ko sirf Allah, Rasool, aur ruku mein zakat dene wale tak mehdood karta hai, isliye yeh ayat Hazrat Ali ki khilafat aur imamat ka wazeh elan hai.
4. Roohani Sabaq (Spiritual Takeaways)
• Ibadat aur Khidmat. Yeh ayat namaz (Salah) aur insaniyat ki khidmat (Zakah) ko ek saath jodti hai. Sachi ibadat insan ko doosron ke dukh se bekhabar nahi karti, balki madad karne ka jazba badhati hai.
• Aajizi (Humility). Wa hum raki’un (“jab woh ruku mein hote hain”) ka matlab sirf namaz ki ek halat nahi, balki Allah ke samne aajizi aur jhukav ke saath neki karna bhi hai.
