What is the meaning of Allah Almighty’s saying: (And among the Bedouins are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allah and the invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allah will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful)?

The verses in Surat At-Tawbah speak about "Al-A'rab" (Bedouins) not "Al-Arab" (Arabs). Al-A'rab are the inhabitants of the desert who are predominantly characterized by ignorance and harshness, while Al-Arab include both city dwellers and Bedouins. The verses describe categories of Al-A'rab:

1. The Most Vehement in Disbelief and Hypocrisy: This is due to their remoteness from religious laws and their lack of knowledge concerning the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger, and their considering spending in the way of Allah as a burden and a loss. 2. The Believers: These are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and consider what they spend as means of drawing closer to Allah, and seek the supplication of the Messenger. These are the praised ones whom Allah will admit into His mercy.

The verses show that disbelief and hypocrisy vary in degree, and that those who lack knowledge are closer to evil, and that knowing the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger is among the most beneficial branches of knowledge. They also indicate that not all Bedouins are blameworthy; rather, among them are both the righteous and the wicked.