It may also be said that this is simply an emphatic way of praising them: they would not attend assemblies of idleness even though they themselves committed no falsehood. Moreover, Allah the Exalted has declared, “The servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk upon the earth with humility” (al-Furqān 25:63). Because He has labeled those described as “the servants of the All-Merciful,” and servitude to the All-Merciful is obligatory, these qualities would therefore be obligatory as well.
Yet this conclusion requires reflection, for one could argue that not every one of these qualities is compulsory. Rather, those portrayed are the ones who most perfectly and truly merit that designation—just as Allah says, “The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned” (al-Anfāl 8:2), and, “Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah” (Fāṭir 35:28).
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “The truly needy person is not the one who is turned away with a morsel or two …,” and he said, “Whom do you count as the bankrupt among you …”
(1) In manuscript A the phrase reads “wa yuqal” (and it is said).
(2) The printed edition has: qala: “la yafʿaluna hum al-batil wa-llahu taʿala …,” i.e. it inserts hum and omits li-anna.
(3) Qurʾan, 25:63 (al-Furqan); the clause “ʿala al-ardi hawnan” (who walk upon the earth gently) is not cited in manuscript T.
(4) Qurʾan, 8:2 (al-Anfal).
(5) Qurʾan, 35:28 (Fatir).
(6) Reported by al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book of Zakat, chapter headed by the verse “la yasʾaluna al-nasa ilhafa” (they do not beg of people importunately), Hadith 1479 (Fath al-Bari 3/341). Text: “The miskeen is not the one who goes about among the people, dismissed with a morsel or two …”
(7) The printed edition mistakenly reads “ma tadʿun” in both instances.
(8) The word “fikum” (among you) is absent from manuscript Aṭ and from the printed edition.
(9) Ibn al-Athir quotes the report in this wording in Jamiʿ al-Usul and notes that it is an addition by Ruzayn; see Jamiʿ al-Usul 11/797, Hadith 9513. Muslim records it as: “Do you know who is the bankrupt?” in the Book of Birr, chapter on the prohibition of wrongdoing, Hadith 2581 (4/1997).