Verse Meaning

According to the classical scholar Imam Al-Tabari, Quran 106:4 is a profound reminder of the two greatest worldly blessings bestowed by Allah upon the tribe of Quraysh: complete provision and absolute security. This verse explains that Allah is the one 'Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.' Ibn Kathir elaborates that these specific blessings were the reason they were commanded to worship the Lord of the Kaaba exclusively. [1] The synthesis of classical tafsirs reveals a multi-layered meaning of 'fear.' While it clearly refers to the physical security the Quraysh enjoyed from the constant tribal raids and warfare prevalent in Arabia, due to the sanctity of the Haram, Al-Tabari also records the view that it included security from diseases like leprosy. The genius of the Quranic text is that the general wording encompasses security from all forms of fear, both external and internal. Similarly, their provision in a barren valley was a miraculous answer to the prayer of their ancestor, Prophet Ibrahim. As Imam As-Saddi noted, the combination of these two blessings—freedom from hunger and freedom from fear—constitutes the foundation of a prosperous and peaceful life, making gratitude through sincere worship an undeniable obligation.