8:75
And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company, – they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah. Verily Allah is well-acquainted with all things.
Asad writes,
Interpretation of “Close Relations” in Qur’an 8:75
Classical Qur’anic commentators generally interpret the final clause of this verse as referring to biological family relationships, distinguishing them from the symbolic brotherhood established among early Muslims. According to this view, the verse abolished a practice that existed after the Hijrah (migration), when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) paired members of the Anṣār (Helpers)—the Muslim residents of Madinah—with the Muhājirūn (Emigrants) from Makkah. Because many of the emigrants arrived in Madinah with little or no property, these symbolic bonds of brotherhood were intended to provide social and economic support. In some cases, this arrangement even allowed a Muhājir to share in the wealth of his Anṣār counterpart and to receive a portion of his inheritance if the latter died. According to many commentators, the verse later restricted inheritance rights to actual blood relatives, thereby ending the inheritance arrangements that had been established through this symbolic brotherhood.
However, some scholars question this interpretation. Although the term ulu al-arḥām derives from raḥm, meaning “womb,” the term is frequently used metaphorically in classical Arabic to denote kinship or close relationships in a broader sense, rather than strictly biological ties. Lexicographical sources note that the phrase may refer to any form of relationship or close connection, not exclusively blood relations (Lane, 1863–1893).
When considered within its broader context, the verse appears at the conclusion of a passage emphasizing the unity and mutual support among believers. The preceding verses stress that believers should act as allies and protectors (awliyāʾ) of one another and that later believers are likewise part of the same spiritual community. From this perspective, interpreting the phrase “close relations” strictly in terms of inheritance law appears somewhat disconnected from the primary theme of the passage, which focuses on the moral and spiritual bonds among believers.
Consequently, some interpreters suggest that the verse should be understood as a summary of the preceding message, emphasizing the deep spiritual relationship that unites all believers. In this reading, the verse underscores that the community of faith forms a single, interconnected body, and those bound together through faith have strong moral obligations toward one another. This understanding aligns with the Qur’anic principle that “the believers are but brothers” (Qur’an 49:10), highlighting the central importance of unity and mutual support within the Muslim community.
References:
Asad, Muhammad (1980). The Message of the Quran.