In the same way...

In the same way, Ali bin Ibrahim has narrated with regard to previous verses that there was a group of poor people in Medina which was known as the Ashab Suffa, because the Prophet had made a platform (Suffa) for them near his mosque and had told them to stay there. His Eminence, used to personally supervise their affairs and often used to put away his share of food for them and bring it to them.

They used to always remain in the Prophet’s company and he used to make sit near to him and was affectionate to them. When the rich and affluent companions visited him, they used to dislike the Prophet close interaction with these destitute and they used to say: “O Prophet of Allah, keep these people away.” One day man of Ansar visited the Messenger. At that time a member of Ashab Suffa was in the Prophet’s company, sitting close to him and talking with him.

Seeing this, the man from Ansar sat away from the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah (S) called him near but he didn’t approach. At last the Messenger of Allah (S) asked him: “Do you fear that the poverty of the poor will be transferred to you?” He said: “You remove these people from you.” At that juncture, the Almighty Allah revealed the following verses and made it obligatory for the Prophet to salute those who repent after committing sins.

This was highly despicable to them and they used to object to the Prophet about this and say: “We participate in battles, defend the Prophet from enemies and strengthen his religion. But he spends the Sadaqah amount on those who neither help him or give him any benefit.