Surah 4. An-Nisaa', Ayah 53

An allusion to the Jewish belief that they occupy a privileged position in the sight of God.

The word I have translated farthing is naqir, the groove in a date stone, a thing of no value whatever. Close-fistedness and envy are among the worst forms of selfishness, and appear specially incongruous in people of power, authority, or influence, from whom is expected generosity in giving and generosity in seeing other people's prosperity or happiness.