وَ اِذۡ قَالَ اِبۡرٰہٖمُ رَبِّ اَرِنِیۡ کَیۡفَ تُحۡیِ الۡمَوۡتٰی ؕ قَالَ اَوَ لَمۡ تُؤۡمِنۡ ؕ قَالَ بَلٰی وَ لٰکِنۡ لِّیَطۡمَئِنَّ قَلۡبِیۡ ؕ قَالَ فَخُذۡ اَرۡبَعَۃً مِّنَ الطَّیۡرِ فَصُرۡہُنَّ اِلَیۡکَ ثُمَّ اجۡعَلۡ عَلٰی کُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنۡہُنَّ جُزۡءًا ثُمَّ ادۡعُہُنَّ یَاۡتِیۡنَکَ سَعۡیًا ؕ وَ اعۡلَمۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ عَزِیۡزٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿۲۶۱﴾٪
وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيۡفَ تُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمۡ تُؤۡمِنۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطۡمَئِنَّ قَلۡبِيۖ قَالَ فَخُذۡ أَرۡبَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَصُرۡهُنَّ إِلَيۡكَ ثُمَّ ٱجۡعَلۡ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٖ مِّنۡهُنَّ جُزۡءٗا ثُمَّ ٱدۡعُهُنَّ يَأۡتِينَكَ سَعۡيٗاۚ وَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ
English
And remember when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how Thou givest life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Hast thou not believed?’ He said, ‘Yes, but I ask this that my heart may be at rest.’ He answered, ‘Take four birds and make them attached to thyself. Then put each of them on a hill; then call them; they will come to thee in haste. And know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.’
English Short Commentary
And remember when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how Thou givest life to the dead.’ God said, ‘Dost thou not believe?’ Abraham said, ‘Yes, but I ask this that my heart may be at ease.’[327] God answered, ‘Take four birds and make them attached[328] to thee. Then put each[329] of them on a hill; then call them; they will come to thee in haste. And know that Allah is Mighty and Wise.’
327. The difference between Iman (belief) and Itminan (the heart being at ease) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring the dead to life, but what he desired was his personal satisfaction of knowing that God would do so in the case of his own posterity as well. Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining Shak (doubt) than Abraham" (Muslim), the word Shak signifying an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment; for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt about any of God’s promises or doings. This shows that Abraham’s question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire. (close)
328. Surtul-Ghusna Ilayya means, I inclined the branch towards myself (Lane). The preposition ila determines the significance of the word Surhunna in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting. (close)
329. Juz’ means, a part or portion or division of a thing. Thus, if a thing consists of or comprises a group, the word "part" or "division" would signify each member of it.
This is a vision of Abraham. In "taking four birds" the implication was that his posterity would rise and fall four times, which phenomenon was to be witnessed twice among the Israelites, and to be repeated twice among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (17:5-8; Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by Constantine, the Roman Emperor who accepted Christianity. Similarly, the power of Islam, was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the Tartar hordes, but soon it recovered from the crushing blow. The victors became the vanquished and the grandson of Halaku, the despoiler of Baghdad, was converted to Islam. The second fall came later when there was a general and wholesale decline of Muslims both in the spiritual and the political field. The second renaissance of Islam is being brought about by the Promised Messiah. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And remember when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how Thou givest life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Hast thou not believed?’ He said, ‘Yes, but I ask this that my heart may be at rest.’ He answered, ‘Take four birds and make them attached to thyself. Then put each of them on a hill; then call them; they will come to thee in haste. And know that Allah is Mighty and Wise.’[267]
267. Important Words:
تحی الموتی (Thou givest life to the dead). For the meaning of حیاة (life) and موت (death) and میت (dead person) see 2:20; 2:29; 2:57 and 2:74.
یطمئن (be at rest) is derived from طمئن. They say طمئن ظھرہ i.e. he bent his back low. طمئن الشیء means, he made the thing calm and set it at rest. اطمأن means, it or he was at rest; it or he became calm after being agitated; it or he became docile and submissive. المطمئن means, (1) one who is calm and tranquil or in a state of rest or ease; that which is motionless and stationary; (2) if used in connection with some piece of land, it means a low-lying, soft piece of land (Aqrab).
صرھن الیك (make them attached to thyself). صرھن is derived from صار with واو as the central root letter. They say صار الشیء الی نفسه i.e. he inclined the thing to himself. صار وجھه الی means, he inclined his face towards me. صرت الغصن لاجتنی الثمر means, I inclined the branch towards myself in order to pluck the fruit. صار with ی as the central root letter, means, he cut a thing, etc. into pieces (Aqrab). The Quran uses here صار with واو as the central root letter as the dammah in صرھن indicates. Moreover, the preposition الی (to) determines the significance of the word in the sense of inclining or attaching and not cutting.
جزء (each) is derived from جزاء. They say جزأ الشیء i.e. he divided the thing into parts. So جزء means, part or portion or division of a thing (Lane). Thus, if a thing consists of, and comprises, a group, the word part or division would signify each member of it.
Commentary:
This verse provides yet another illustration of the process of life and death arranged by God in this world. In other words, the rise of a fallen nation is further discussed. Abraham asked God to show him how He caused a people to come to life after they had become fallen and degraded.
The difference between إیمان (belief) and اطمینان (heart being at rest) is that in the former state one simply believes that God can do a thing, while in the latter one receives the assurance that the thing would be done in his case also. Abraham did indeed believe that God could bring a dead people to life, but what he desired was the personal satisfaction of knowing that He would do so in the case of his own posterity as well; hence the words, so that my heart may be at rest.
The verse proceeds to describe a vision of Abraham. By asking him to take four birds, God hinted that his posterity would rise and fall four times. This rise and fall was witnessed twice among the Israelites, and the same phenomenon was to be repeated among the followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam who was descended from Abraham through Ishmael. The power of the Jews, the progeny of Abraham through Isaac, was crushed twice, first by Nebuchadnezzar and then by Titus (the Quran, 17:5-8; the Bible, II Kings ch. 25 and Enc. Brit. under Jews); and each time God raised them after their fall, the second revival having been brought about by the acceptance of Christianity by the Roman Emperors. As to the power of Islam, it was first rudely shaken when Baghdad fell to the arms of the Tartars, after which it again revived owing to the conquerors being won over to Islam. The second fall came later when there was a general and wholesale decline of Muslims both in the spiritual and the political field. The final rise is being arranged by God through the Ahmadiyya Movement founded by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Referring to the verse under comment, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, "We are more deserving of entertaining شك than Abraham" (Muslim). Here شك does not mean "doubt" but an intense hidden desire anxiously awaiting fulfilment, for the Holy Prophet never entertained any doubt. This shows that Abraham also never doubted and his question was not prompted by doubt but simply by an anxious desire. He had firm faith in the power of God and fully believed that He could restore a fallen people to prosperity; what he wanted was simply the satisfaction of his hidden desire, i.e. an assurance that God would do so in the case of his people also. The word شك therefore here only means the feeling of anxiety in the mind, or the state of commotion or disturbance of the heart and mind (Lane).
The double fall and subsequent rise of the Israelites and of the posterity of Ishmael making the total number of such phenomena four may be interpreted in another way also. The Israelites were a fallen people before Moses and God raised them through him. They fell again before the time of Jesus and were again given new life through him. Similarly, the Ishmaelites were a fallen people before the advent of the Holy Prophet who gave them new life, and they are again a fallen people now when they are being given a new life by Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Many commentators have translated the word صرھن as, "cut them into pieces and mince them", but this is clearly wrong; for as explained under Important Words above صار یصور (with واو as the central root letter) means "inclining" and not "cutting", particularly when it is used with the preposition الی. So the expression صرھن would mean "make them inclined towards thyself", so that they may become attached to thee. In this case the placing of a جزء of the four birds each on a hill would mean, putting each separate bird on a separate hill, and not placing portions of the minced meat thereon. The commandment to place the four birds separately on separate hills is to point to the fact that the rise and fall of the progeny of Abraham would take place at four distinct and separate times. The word جزء has been used in this sense elsewhere also (15:45). (close)
اُردو
اور (کیا تُو نے اس پر بھی غور کیا) جب ابراہیم نے کہا اے میرے ربّ مجھے دکھلا کہ تُو مُردوں کو کیسے زندہ کرتا ہے۔ اُس نے کہا کیا تو ایمان نہیں لا چکا؟ اُس نے کہا کیوں نہیں مگر اس لئے (پوچھا ہے) کہ میرا دل مطمئن ہو جائے۔ اس نے کہا تُو چار پرندے پکڑ لے اور انہیں اپنے ساتھ مانوس کر لے۔ پھر ان میں سے ایک ایک کو ہر پہاڑ پر چھوڑ دے۔ پھر انہیں بُلا، وہ جلدی کرتے ہوئے تیری طرف چلے آئیں گے۔ اور جان لے کہ اللہ کامل غلبہ والا (اور) بہت حکمت والا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور (اس واقعہ کو بھی یاد کرو) جب ابراہیم نے کہا تھا کہ اے میرے رب! مجھے بتا کہ تو مردے کس طرح زندہ کرتا ہے۔ فرمایا کہ کیا تو ایمان نہیں لا چکا؟ (ابراہیم نے) کہا۔ کیوں نہیں (ایمان تو بیشک حاصل ہو چکا ہے) لیکن اپنے اطمینان قلب کی خاطر (میں نے یہ سوال کیا ہے) فرمایا۔ اچھا! تو چار پرندے لے اور ان کو اپنے ساتھ سدھا لے۔ پھر ہر ایک پہاڑ پر ان میں سے ایک (ایک) حصہ رکھ دے۔ پھر انہیں بلا۔ وہ تیری طرف تیزی کے ساتھ چلے آئیں گے اور جان لے کہ اللہ غالب (اور) حکمت والا ہے۔
Français
Et souviens-toi quand Abraham dit : « Mon Seigneur, fais-moi voir comment Tu ressuscites les morts. » Il lui dit : « Ne crois-tu pas ? » Abraham répondit : « Si, maisje demande cela afin d’avoir le cœur tranquille. » Allāh lui répondit : « Prends quatre oiseaux et fais-les s’attacher à toi. Ensuite, mets chacun d’entre eux sur une colline et appelle-les ; ils viendront vers toi à tire d’aile. Et sache qu’Allāh est Puissant, Sage. »
Español
Y acuérdate de cuando Abraham dijo: “Mi Señor; muéstrame cómo le devuelves la vida a los muertos”. Él dijo: “¿Es que no has creído?” Él dijo: “Sí, pero pregunto esto para que mi corazón se tranquilice”. Respondió: “Toma cuatro pájaros y haz que se vinculen a ti. A continuación pon a cada uno de ellos en un monte; llámalos después y verás cómo acuden a ti apresuradamente. Y sabe que Al-lah es Poderoso, Sabio.”
Deutsch
Und (denke daran) wie Abraham sprach: "Mein Herr, zeige mir, wie Du die Toten lebendig machst." Er sprach: "Hast du denn nicht geglaubt?" Er sagte: "Ja, doch, aber um mein Herz zu beruhigen." Er antwortete: "So nimm vier Vögel und mache sie dir anhänglich. Alsdann setze jeden besonders auf einen Berg; dann rufe sie, sie werden eilends zu dir kommen. Und wisse, dass Allah allmächtig, allweise ist."
مَثَلُ الَّذِیۡنَ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَہُمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ کَمَثَلِ حَبَّۃٍ اَنۡۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِیۡ کُلِّ سُنۡۢبُلَۃٍ مِّائَۃُ حَبَّۃٍ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ یُضٰعِفُ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۲۶۲﴾
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٖ مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّةٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
English
The similitude of those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies it further for whomsoever He pleases; and Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.
English Short Commentary
The [a]similitude of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies it further for whomsoever He pleases and Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.[330]
330. In the foregoing verses, it was pointed out that it is a Divine law that God gives new life to deserving nations after they become dead, and the case of the Israelites was mentioned as an instance. It was further indicated that the progeny of Abraham would rise four times, the Israelites and the Ishmaelites each rising twice. In order to prepare Muslims for the promised rise, God reverts to the means of national progress and exhorts the Faithful to spend freely in the cause of God. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
The [a]similitude of those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies it further for whomsoever He pleases; and Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.[268]
268. Commentary:
In the foregoing verses, it was pointed out that it is a law of God that He gives new life to deserving nations after they have become dead, and the case of the Israelites was mentioned as an instance. It was further indicated that the progeny of Abraham would rise four times, the Israelites and the Ishmaelites each rising twice. Now, in order to prepare Muslims for the promised rise, God reverts to the means of national progress and exhorts the Faithful to spend freely in the cause of God, pointing out that their case is like that of a seed which is multiplied 700 times and even more. Thus 700 times is the least reward that will be given to Muslims, and there is no limit to what God will bestow over and above this. History shows that this promise was fulfilled to the very letter; for the reward which God gave to the early Muslims in this world was not only 700 times of what they spent in the cause of Allah but immeasurably greater; and the reward in the world to come will certainly be greater still. (close)
اُردو
ان لوگوں کی مثال جو اپنے مال اللہ کی راہ میں خرچ کرتے ہیں ایسے بیج کی طرح ہے جو سات بالیں اُگاتا ہو۔ ہر بالی میں سو دانے ہوں اور اللہ جسے چاہے (اس سے بھی) بہت بڑھا کر دیتا ہے۔ اور اللہ وسعت عطا کرنے والا (اور) دائمی علم رکھنے والا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
جو لوگ اپنے مالوں کو اللہ کی راہ میں خرچ کرتے ہیں ان (کے اس فعل) کی حالت اس دانہ کی حالت کے مشابہ ہے جو سات بالیں اگائے (اور) ہر بالی میں سو دانہ ہو۔ اور اللہ جس کے لئے چاہتا ہے‘ (اس سے بھی) بڑھا (بڑھا کر) دیتا ہے اور اللہ وسعت دینے والا (اور) بہت جاننے والا ہے۔
Français
La similitude de ceux qui dépensent leurs biens pour la cause d’Allāh est comme la similitude d’un grain qui produit sept épis, et chaque épi contient cent grains. Et Allāh le multiplie davantage pour celui qu’Il veut et Allāh est Munificent, Omniscient.
Español
Los que emplean sus bienes en la causa de Al-lah son semejantes a un grano de trigo que da siete espigas, y en cada espiga hay cien granos. Y Al-lah lo multiplica aún más para quien Le place; y Al-lah es Magnánimo, Omnisciente.
Deutsch
Die ihr Gut hingeben für Allahs Sache, sie gleichen einem Samenkorn, das sieben Ähren treibt, hundert Körner in jeder Ähre. Allah vermehrt (es) weiter, wem Er will; und Allah ist huldreich, allwissend.
اَلَّذِیۡنَ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَہُمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ ثُمَّ لَا یُتۡبِعُوۡنَ مَاۤ اَنۡفَقُوۡا مَنًّا وَّ لَاۤ اَذًی ۙ لَّہُمۡ اَجۡرُہُمۡ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ ۚ وَ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡنَ ﴿۲۶۳﴾
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتۡبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُواْ مَنّٗا وَلَآ أَذٗى لَّهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ
English
They who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah, then follow not up what they have spent with taunt or injury, for them is their reward with their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.
English Short Commentary
They who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, then [a]follow not up what they have spent with taunt or injury;[331] for them is their reward with their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.
331. Every good act may be abused, and the abuse of spending in the cause of Allah is to follow it with Mann (boastfully speaking of one’s good act) and Adha (following it up with injury). Those, who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah, are prohibited from making unnecessary and misplaced mention of the money they spend and the services they render to the cause of Truth, for, doing so would amount to Mann (taunt). Similarly, they are enjoined not to demand anything in return for their contributions. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
They who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah, then [a]follow not up what they have spent with taunt or injury, for them is their reward with their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.[269]
269. Important Words:
منا (taunt). They say من علیه i.e. (1) he did him a favour; (2) he talked of, or referred to, the favour he had done him and thereby taunted him with it (Aqrab). So من means both a favour as well as a reference to it with a view to taunting.
Commentary:
Every good may be abused, and the abuse of spending in the cause of Allah is to follow it with من i.e. boastfully speaking of one’s services, and اذی i.e. following up a good act with an injury. Those who expend their wealth in the cause of Allah, are prohibited from making unnecessary mention of the money they spend and the services they render to Islam; for doing so would amount to من (taunt). Similarly they are forbidden to demand anything in return for their contributions; for this would amount to اذی (injury). Some men expect worldly advantages or try to seek help in their mundane affairs in return for their services in the cause of religion, and if such help is not forthcoming, they are displeased; or sometimes they desire to exact some work from those who are engaged in the service of religion and whom they help with money. All this would come under the definition of the word اذی; for such demands cause great injury and annoyance. Whether in the help of the community or of an individual, Islam condemns resort to من and اذی. It enjoins us to serve, but expects us to forget that we are rendering a service, for that would mar the good effect thereof. (close)
اُردو
وہ لوگ جو اپنے اموال اللہ کی راہ میں خرچ کرتے ہیں، پھر جو وہ خرچ کرتے ہیں اُس کا احسان جتاتے ہوئے یا تکلیف دیتے ہوئے پیچھا نہیں کرتے، اُن کا اجر اُن کے ربّ کے پاس ہے اور اُن پر کوئی خوف نہیں ہو گا اور نہ وہ غم کریں گے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
جو لوگ اپنے مالوں کو اللہ کی راہ میں خرچ کرتے ہیں پھر خرچ کرنے کے بعد نہ کسی رنگ میں احسان جتاتے ہیں اور نہ کسی قسم کی تکلیف دیتے ہیں ان کے رب کے پاس ان (کے اعمال) کا بدلہ (محفوظ) ہے۔ اور نہ تو انہیں کسی قسم کا خوف ہوگا اور نہ وہ غمگین ہوں گے۔
Français
Ceux qui dépensent leurs biens pour la cause d’Allāh, et qui ensuite ne font pas suivre ce qu’ils ont dépensé ni de reproche ni de tort, leur récompense est auprès de leur Seigneur, et ils ne seront ni dans la crainte ni ne seront-ils affligés.
Español
Quienes emplean sus bienes en la causa de Al-lah, y a continuación no hacen que lo empleado vaya seguido de burlas o agravios, son los que tendrán la recompensa con su Señor, y no tendrán temor ni se afligirán.
Deutsch
Die ihr Gut hingeben für Allahs Sache und dann ihrer Gabe nicht Vorhaltung und Anspruch folgen lassen, sie haben ihren Lohn bei ihrem Herrn; und keine Furcht soll über sie kommen, noch sollen sie trauern.
قَوۡلٌ مَّعۡرُوۡفٌ وَّ مَغۡفِرَۃٌ خَیۡرٌ مِّنۡ صَدَقَۃٍ یَّتۡبَعُہَاۤ اَذًی ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ غَنِیٌّ حَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۲۶۴﴾
۞قَوۡلٞ مَّعۡرُوفٞ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٞ مِّن صَدَقَةٖ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذٗىۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٞ
English
A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Self-Sufficient, Forbearing.
English Short Commentary
[b]A kind word and forgiveness[332] are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Self-Sufficient, Forbearing.
332. It is better that one should say a kind word of sympathy or of excuse to the person who asks for help than that he should first help him and then follow it up with injury; or that he should try to cover and conceal the want of the person who comes to him for help and refrain from talking about it to others so that he may not feel humbled and humiliated, that being the significance of Maghfirat. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
[b]A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Self-Sufficient, Forbearing.[270]
270. Important Words:
غنی (Self-Sufficient) is from the verb غنی which means, he was or became free from want; he was in a state of competence or sufficiency; he was rich and wealthy. Thus غنی means, one free from want; one who is in a state of competence or sufficiency; one who is rich and wealthy. الغنی is one of the names of God, meaning the Self-Sufficient; One Who has no need of anyone in anything (Lane).
Commentary:
The divine attribute of Self-Sufficient has been used to suggest that if money spent in the cause of God is to be followed by "taunt" and "injury," it need not be spent at all, for He is Self-Sufficient. He needs no money. The order to spend is meant for the good of those who spend. So if the act of spending is abused and becomes a source of demoralization, God does not approve of such spending. The attribute حلیم (Forbearing) which also means "wise" and "intelligent" has been used here to suggest that the injunctions to spend money in the cause of God are given not because He stands in need of money but because He, the Wise God, knows that such acts are conducive to the good of man himself, the significance of "Forbearing" hinting that though God is slow in punishing, yet if such men continue undoing their own good actions by injuring the feelings of others, He would have to chastise them.
The clause, A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury, signifies that it is better to refrain from spending at all, if spending is to be followed by injury. In that case one should say قول معروف i.e. a kind word of sympathy or excuse to the person who asks for help, rather than give him help and then follow it up with injury. One should also observe an attitude of مغفرة (forgiveness) which literally means "covering up", i.e. one should cover and conceal the want of the person who comes for help and refrain from talking about it to others so that he may not feel ashamed. Or مغفرة may signify forgiveness on the part of him who asks for help, i.e. he should forgive the person who expresses his inability to render help. Again, in case the spending spoken of in the verse refers to spending in national needs, قول معروف (kind word) would mean expression of good opinion, i.e. if one cannot spend without following it up with injury, i.e. without criticizing those responsible for national expenditure, one had better refrain from spending at all. (close)
اُردو
اچھی بات کہنا اور معاف کر دینا زیادہ بہتر ہے ایسے صدقہ سے کہ کوئی آزار اُس کے پیچھے آ رہا ہو۔ اور اللہ بے نیاز (اور) بُردبار ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اچھی بات (کہنا) اور (قصور) معاف کرنا اس صدقہ سے بہتر ہے جس کے پیچھے ایذا رسانی (شروع) ہو (جائے) اور اللہ بے نیاز (اور) بردبار ہے۔
Français
Une parole bienveillante et un pardon valent mieux que des aumônes suivies de torts. Et Allāh Se suffit à Lui-Même et est Indulgent.
Español
Una palabra amable y el perdón son mejores que una limosna seguida de agravios. Y Al-lah es Suficiente por Sí mismo, Indulgente.
Deutsch
Ein gütiges Wort und Verzeihung sind besser als ein Almosen, gefolgt von Anspruch; und Allah ist Sich Selbst genügend, langmütig.
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تُبۡطِلُوۡا صَدَقٰتِکُمۡ بِالۡمَنِّ وَ الۡاَذٰی ۙ کَالَّذِیۡ یُنۡفِقُ مَالَہٗ رِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَ لَا یُؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَ الۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِؕ فَمَثَلُہٗ کَمَثَلِ صَفۡوَانٍ عَلَیۡہِ تُرَابٌ فَاَصَابَہٗ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَکَہٗ صَلۡدًا ؕ لَا یَقۡدِرُوۡنَ عَلٰی شَیۡءٍ مِّمَّا کَسَبُوۡا ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ لَا یَہۡدِی الۡقَوۡمَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۲۶۵﴾
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُبۡطِلُواْ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفۡوَانٍ عَلَيۡهِ تُرَابٞ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٞ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلۡدٗاۖ لَّا يَقۡدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيۡءٖ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
English
O ye who believe! render not vain your alms by taunt and injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he believes not in Allah and the Last Day. His case is like the case of a smooth rock covered with earth, on which heavy rain falls, leaving it bare, smooth and hard. They shall not secure aught of what they earn. And Allah guides not the disbelieving people.
English Short Commentary
O ye who believe! [a]render not vain your alms by reproach and injury like him [b]who spends his wealth to be seen[333] of men, and he believes not in Allah and the Last Day. His case is like the case of a smooth rock covered with earth, on which heavy rain falls, leaving it bare and hard. [c]They shall not secure aught of what they earn. And Allah guides not the disbelieving people.
333. Elsewhere, Muslims have also been enjoined to spend their wealth openly (2:275); the object underlying being that other Muslims may be induced to follow their good example. But he who has no faith in God expends his money openly solely to win public approbation. Such a one loses all title to any reward from God. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
O ye who believe! [a]render not vain your alms by taunt and injury, like him [b]who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he believes not in Allah and the Last Day. His case is like the case of a smooth rock covered with earth, on which heavy rain falls, leaving it bare, smooth and hard. [c]They shall not secure aught of what they earn. And Allah guides not the disbelieving people.[271]
271. Important Words:
رئاء (to be seen) is derived from رأی i.e. he saw with his physical or mental eyes. الرئاء means, to make a show of goodness or virtue without there being any sincere or genuine feeling behind it, simply to be seen of men (Aqrab & Mufradat).
صفوان (smooth rock) is in the measure of رحمان being derived from صفا i.e. it became clear or pure and was free from dirt, etc. صفوان besides being used in the singular number is also the plural of صفاة meaning, a smooth and hard rock (Aqrab).
وابل (heavy rain) is derived from وبل. They say وبله بالعصا i.e. he beat or battered him with a rod continuously. وبلت السماءmeans, the sky poured forth heavy rain (Aqrab).
صلد (bare, smooth and hard) is from صلد. They say صلدالزند i.e. the material, meant for producing fire gave out a sound but no Spark. صلد الارض means, the earth became hard. صلد السائل means, he turned away the beggar without giving him anything. صلد is, therefore, spoken of such rock or piece of ground as is hard and smooth and grows nothing (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The verse makes it clear that a Muslim who follows up his charity with taunt and injury, undoes his own good act and will have no reward with God. He is like a disbeliever who spends merely to be seen of and praised by men. The words, ‘and he believes not in Allah and the Last Day’ have been added because sometimes even a believer does a deed to be seen of men, and that act of his has a useful purpose. For instance, it is on record that once a Companion of the Holy Prophet was seen strutting before the hostile Quraish of Mecca. When the Prophet saw the man thus walking, he said, "This gait is hateful to God, but on the present occasion it is not so." In fact, there had been an outbreak of fever among the Companions who were greatly weakened thereby, and the aforesaid Muslim walked with a boastful gait in order to make a display of his strength so that the enemy might not think that the Muslims had been weakened by fever. This turned an ordinarily reprehensible act into a praiseworthy one. Elsewhere Muslims have been bidden to spend their money not only secretly but also openly (2:275), and the object underlying this injunction is that other Muslims, seeing a brother of theirs expending money in the cause of God, may be induced to follow his good example. But he who has no faith in God expends his money openly solely with the object of winning the good opinion of men, and such a one has no reward with God.
The concluding portion of the verse likens a disbeliever to a smooth rock which is not fit for producing a crop; but sometimes, when it is covered with a layer of dust, some corn may grow on it, i.e. when circumstances are favourable and such person does some really good deed, he derives some benefit from it. But when he spends money merely for the sake of display and show, his good deeds are wasted, just as a heavy rain washes away the dust from the surface of a smooth and hard rock, leaving it bare and unproductive. (close)
اُردو
اے لوگو جو ایمان لائے ہو! اپنے صدقات کو احسان جتا کر یا اذیت دے کر ضائع نہ کیا کرو۔ اس شخص کی طرح جو اپنا مال لوگوں کے دکھانے کی خاطر خرچ کرتا ہے اور نہ تو اللہ پر ایمان رکھتا ہے اور نہ یومِ آخر پر۔ پس اس کی مثال ایک ایسی چٹان کی طرح ہے جس پر مٹی (کی تہ) ہو۔ پھر اس پر موسلادھار بارش برسے تو اُسے چٹیل چھوڑ جائے۔ جو کچھ وہ کماتے ہیں اس میں سے کسی چیز پر وہ کوئی اختیار نہیں رکھتے۔ اور اللہ کافر قوم کو ہدایت نہیں دیتا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اے ایمان دارو! تم صدقات کو احسان جتانے اور تکلیف دینے (کے فعل) سے اس شخص کی طرح ضائع نہ کرلو جو لوگوں کے دکھانے کے لئے مال خرچ کرتا ہے اور اللہ اور روز آخرت پر ایمان نہیں رکھتا کیونکہ اس کی حالت تو اس پتھر کی حالت کے مشابہ ہے جس پر کچھ مٹی (پڑی ہوئی) ہو۔ اور اس پر تیز بارش ہو اور وہ اسے (دھو کر پھر) صاف پتھر (کا پتھر) کردے۔ یہ (ایسے لوگ ہیں کہ) جو کچھ کماتے ہیں اس کا کوئی حصہ بھی ان کے ہاتھ نہیں آتا۔ اور اللہ اس قسم کے کافروں کو (کامیابی کی) راہ نہیں دکھاتا۔
Français
Ô vous qui croyez, ne rendez pas vaines vos aumônes par des reproches et des torts, tout comme celui qui dépense ses biens pour que les hommes voient ce qu’il fait, et qui ne croit pas en Allāh ni au Jour Dernier. Son cas est pareil à celui d’une roche lisse couverte de terre, sur laquelle tombe une pluie abondante, la laissant nue. De tels hommes ne tireront aucun profit de ce qu’ils ont acquis. Et Allāh ne guide pas le peuple mécréant.
Español
¡Oh creyentes! no hagáis vanas vuestras limosnas con reproches y agravios, como aquél que emplea su riqueza para ser visto por los hombres, y no cree en Al-lah ni en el Último Día. Su caso es similar a una roca lisa, cubierta con tierra, sobre la que cae el aguacero, dejándola desnuda, llana y dura. Éstos no conseguirán mantener nada de lo que han ganado. Y Al-lah no guía a la gente incrédula.
Deutsch
O die ihr glaubt, machet eure Almosen nicht eitel durch Vorhaltung und Anspruch, dem gleich, der von seinem Reichtum spendet, um von den Leuten gesehen zu werden, und er glaubt nicht an Allah und an den Jüngsten Tag. Ihm ergeht es wie einem glatten Felsen, den Erdreich bedeckt: wenn ein Platzregen auf ihn fällt, legt er ihn bloß – glatt und hart. Sie haben nichts von ihrem Verdienst. Und Allah weist nicht dem ungläubigen Volk den Weg.
وَ مَثَلُ الَّذِیۡنَ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَہُمُ ابۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ اللّٰہِ وَ تَثۡبِیۡتًا مِّنۡ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ کَمَثَلِ جَنَّۃٍۭ بِرَبۡوَۃٍ اَصَابَہَا وَابِلٌ فَاٰتَتۡ اُکُلَہَا ضِعۡفَیۡنِ ۚ فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ یُصِبۡہَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿۲۶۶﴾
وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ وَتَثۡبِيتٗا مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةِۭ بِرَبۡوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٞ فَـَٔاتَتۡ أُكُلَهَا ضِعۡفَيۡنِ فَإِن لَّمۡ يُصِبۡهَا وَابِلٞ فَطَلّٞۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
English
And the case of those who spend their wealth to seek the pleasure of Allah and to strengthen their souls is like the case of a garden on elevated ground. Heavy rain falls on it so that it brings forth its fruit twofold. And if heavy rain does not fall on it, then light rain suffices. And Allah sees what you do.
English Short Commentary
And the case of those who spend their wealth to seek the pleasure of Allah and to strengthen[334] their souls is like the case of a garden on elevated[335] ground. Heavy rain falls on it so that it [d]brings forth its fruit twofold. And if heavy rain does not fall on it, then light rain suffices. And Allah sees what you do.
334. Spending money in the cause of Allah strengthens the soul of a person because by spending his hard-earned wealth he voluntarily imposes a burden on himself which makes him firmer and more steadfast in faith. (close)
335. The hearts of believers who spend freely in the cause of God are like an elevated piece of ground to which heavy rain, which sometimes proves harmful for low-lying tracts, can do no harm. On the other hand, it is benefitted by rain, whether it is heavy or light. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
And the case of those who spend their wealth to seek the pleasure of Allah and to strengthen their souls is like the case of a garden on elevated ground. Heavy rain falls on it so that it [a]brings forth its fruit twofold. And if heavy rain does not fall on it, then light rain suffices. And Allah sees what you do.[272]
272. Important Words:
تثبیتا (strengthen) is derived from ثبت which means, he or it subsisted or lasted; he or it became fixed or stationary at a place; he was firm, stable, steadfast and unwavering. ثبت الامر means, the matter became proved and determined. اثبته means, he made a person or thing fixed and stationary, rendering him or it unable to move; he imprisoned him or inflicted on him a crippling injury. اثبت الحق means, he strengthened or reinforced the truth with clear arguments. ثبته (thabbatahu) means, he made a person or thing firm, steadfast, unwavering and fixed; he strengthened him or it so as to make him or it fit to endure all trials and shakings (Aqrab & Lane).
ربوة (elevated ground) is derived from ربا. They say ربا المال i.e. the money increased and became augmented. رباالولد means, the child grew up. رباالرابیة means, he climbed the height. ربوة or رابیة means, a hill or elevated ground (Aqrab). ربا (interest) is also from the same root and is so called because it is looked upon as a sure and unfailing means of increasing and multiplying wealth.
Commentary:
Spending money in the cause of Allah leads to the strengthening of the soul. The man who strives in the cause of God by spending his wealth, imposes a burden on himself which makes him still more firm and steadfast in his faith. Besides, as he helps others with his money, God helps him and protects him from harm.
The hearts of the believers who spend freely in the cause of God are like elevated ground to which heavy rain, which sometimes proves harmful for low-lying grounds, can do no harm. On the other hand, it is benefited by rain, whether it is heavy or light.
In the verse under comment, rain represents charity. Those who spend large amounts are referred to in the words "heavy rain", while those who can afford to spend only small amounts in the cause of Allah are referred to in the words "light rain" (see also 9:79).
Both classes of men are benefited, inasmuch as they are granted more and more power to do good deeds and receive an ample reward from God, Who does not look to the amount of the money spent in His cause but to the proportion it bears to the money retained by the spender for his worldly needs. The word طل (light rain), besides including the lightest of rains, also means "dew" (Lane) and has been used to point out that even the smallest amounts spent in the cause of Allah has its reward. (close)
اُردو
اور ان لوگوں کی مثال جو اپنے اموال اللہ کی رضا چاہتے ہوئے اور اپنے نفوس میں سے بعض کوثبات دینے کے لئے خرچ کرتے ہیں، ایسے باغ کی سی ہے جو اونچی جگہ پر واقع ہو اور اُسے تیز بارش پہنچے تو وہ بڑھ چڑھ کر اپنا پھل لائے، اور اگر اسے تیز بارش نہ پہنچے تو شبنم ہی بہت ہو۔ اور اللہ اس پر جو تم کرتے ہو گہری نظر رکھنے والا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اور جو لوگ اپنے مال اللہ کی خوشنودی حاصل کرنے کے لئے اور اپنے آپ کو مضبوط کرنے کے لئے خرچ کرتے ہیں ان کے (خرچ) کی حالت اس باغ کی حالت کے مشابہ ہے جو اونچی جگہ پر ہو (اور) اس پر تیز بارش ہوئی ہو جس (کی وجہ) سے وہ اپنا پھل دو چند لایا ہو۔ اور (اس کی یہ کیفیت ہوکہ) اگر اس پر زور کی بارش نہ پڑے تو تھوڑی سی بارش ہی (اس کے لئے کافی ہو جائے) اور جو کچھ تم کرتے ہو اللہ اسے دیکھ رہا ہے۔
Français
Et le cas de ceux qui dépensent leurs biens pour chercher le plaisir d’Allāh et pour fortifier leur âme est pareil à celui d’un jardin situé sur un coteau. La pluie abondante tombe dessus, le faisant rapporter des fruits doublement. Et si une grosse pluie ne l’arrose pas, alors une pluie fine suffit. Et Allāh voit bien tout ce que vous faites.
Español
Y los que emplean sus riquezas para buscar el placer de Al-lah y fortalecer sus almas son semejantes a un jardín sobre un terreno elevado. Basta que la lluvia abundante caiga sobre él para que se upliquen sus frutos. Y si no cae sobre él un fuerte aguacero, le basta con una lluvia ligera. Y Al-lah ve lo que hacéis.
Deutsch
Und jene, die ihr Gut hingeben im Trachten nach Allahs Wohlgefallen und zur Stärkung ihrer Seelen, sind gleich einem Garten auf erhöhtem Grund. Platzregen fällt darauf, und er bringt seine Frucht zwiefältig hervor. Fällt aber kein Platzregen auf ihn, so (genügt auch) leichter. Allah sieht euer Tun.
اَیَوَدُّ اَحَدُکُمۡ اَنۡ تَکُوۡنَ لَہٗ جَنَّۃٌ مِّنۡ نَّخِیۡلٍ وَّ اَعۡنَابٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ ۙ لَہٗ فِیۡہَا مِنۡ کُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ ۙ وَ اَصَابَہُ الۡکِبَرُ وَ لَہٗ ذُرِّیَّۃٌ ضُعَفَآءُ ۪ۖ فَاَصَابَہَاۤ اِعۡصَارٌ فِیۡہِ نَارٌ فَاحۡتَرَقَتۡ ؕ کَذٰلِکَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰہُ لَکُمُ الۡاٰیٰتِ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۶۷﴾٪
أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٞ مِّن نَّخِيلٖ وَأَعۡنَابٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلۡكِبَرُ وَلَهُۥ ذُرِّيَّةٞ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعۡصَارٞ فِيهِ نَارٞ فَٱحۡتَرَقَتۡۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ
English
Does any of you desire that there should be for him a garden of palm trees and vines with streams flowing beneath it, and with all kinds of fruit for him therein — while old age has stricken him and he has weak offspring — and that a fiery whirlwind should smite it and it be all burnt? Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you that you may ponder.
English Short Commentary
Would any of you desire that there should be for him a garden of palm trees and vines with streams flowing beneath it, and with all kinds of fruit for him therein—while old age has stricken him and he has weak offspring—and that a fiery whirlwind should smite it and it be all burnt?[336] Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you that you may reflect.
336. By means of this similitude the believer is warned that, if he spends his property for show, or follows up his charity with reproaches and injury, all that he has spent will be wasted. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
Does any of you desire that there should be for him a garden of palm trees and vines with streams flowing beneath it, and with all kinds of fruit for him therein—while old age has stricken him and he has weak offspring—and that a fiery whirlwind should smite it and it be all burnt? Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you that you may ponder.[273]
273. Important Words:
ذریة (offspring) is derived from ذر or ذرأ. The verb ذر means, he sprinkled or scattered. They say ذرالحب فی الارض i.e. he scattered the seed in the soil. ذرالنبات means the vegetation sprouted forth from the ground. Similarly ذرأ means, he increased a thing, etc.; or He (God) created. ذرة of which the plural is ذر means, small ant; motes or dust particles that float about in the air. ذریة means, children, offspring or progeny; human or other race descended from a common ancestor (Aqrab & Taj).
Commentary:
By means of the similitude contained in this verse, a believer is reminded that if he spends his property for show or follows up his charity with taunts and injury, all that he has spent will be wasted, and on the Day of Judgement he will find nothing good in store for him. His case will be as wretched as that of an old man with little children and large property which, as the result of an accident, is suddenly destroyed, leaving him not only without means of sustenance for himself but also without provision for his children. When a man cannot bear to see himself and his little children go unprovided for in this life, which is after all a very short period, how can he bear that his work for the cause of Allah—a provision for his everlasting life in the next world—should be undone by his own action? (close)
اُردو
کیا تم میں سے کوئی پسند کرے گا کہ اس کے لئے کھجوروں اور انگوروں کا ایک باغ ہو جس کے دامن میں نہریں بہتی ہوں۔ اس کے لئے اس میں ہر قسم کے پھل ہوں نیز اُس پر بڑھاپا آ جائے جبکہ اس کے بچے ابھی کمزور (اور کم سِن) ہوں۔ تب اُس (باغ) کو ایک بگولہ آ لے جس میں آگ (کی تپش) ہو پس وہ جل جائے۔ اسی طرح اللہ تمہارے لئے (اپنے) نشان خوب کھولتا ہے تاکہ تم تفکّر کرو۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
کیا تم میں سے کوئی شخص چاہتا ہے کہ اس کا کھجوروں اور انگوروں کا ایک باغ ہو‘ جس کے نیچے نہریں بہتی ہوں (اور) اسے اس میں سے ہر قسم کے پھل ملتے (رہتے) ہوں۔ اور اسے بڑھاپے نے بھی آپکڑا ہو اور اس کے چھوٹے (چھوٹے) بچے ہوں۔ پھر اس باغ پر ایک ایسا بگولا چلے جس میں آگ (کی سی گرمی) ہو اور وہ (باغ) جل جائے۔ (دیکھو) اللہ تمہارے (فائدہ کے) لئے اس طرح اپنے احکام بیان کرتا ہے تا کہ تم فکر (سے کام لیا) کرو۔
Français
L’un d’entre vous désirerait-il avoir un jardin de palmiers et de vignes, avec des ruisseaux coulant dessous et qui lui procure des fruits de toute espèce – cependant qu’il est chargé d’années, et qu’il a des enfants faibles – et qu’une tornade brûlante s’abatte sur le jardin et que celui-ci soit totalement brûlé ? C’est ainsi qu’Allāh vous rend clairs Ses Signes afin que vous méditiez.
Español
¿A quién de vosotros le gustaría tener un jardín de palmeras y vid, con arroyos corriendo por él, y con toda clase de frutos cuando le ha llegado la vejez y tiene una descendencia débil e indefensa, y que e pronto una terrible tormenta cayera sobre él y lo quemara todo? Así os hace Al-lah patentes Sus Signos, para que podáis reflexionar.
Deutsch
Wünscht einer von euch, dass ein Garten für ihn sei voll Palmen und Reben, den Ströme durchfließen, mit Früchten aller Art für ihn darin – dieweil das Alter ihn geschlagen und er schwächliche Nachkommen hat –, und ein feuriger Wirbelwind ihn (den Garten) schlage und er verbrenne? Also macht Allah die Gebote klar für euch, auf dass ihr nachdenkt.
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ طَیِّبٰتِ مَا کَسَبۡتُمۡ وَ مِمَّاۤ اَخۡرَجۡنَا لَکُمۡ مِّنَ الۡاَرۡضِ ۪ وَ لَا تَیَمَّمُوا الۡخَبِیۡثَ مِنۡہُ تُنۡفِقُوۡنَ وَ لَسۡتُمۡ بِاٰخِذِیۡہِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تُغۡمِضُوۡا فِیۡہِ ؕ وَ اعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ حَمِیۡدٌ ﴿۲۶۸﴾
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنفِقُواْ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا كَسَبۡتُمۡ وَمِمَّآ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُواْ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنۡهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسۡتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغۡمِضُواْ فِيهِۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
English
O ye who believe! spend of the good things that you have earned, and of what We produce for you from the earth; and seek not what is bad to spend out of it when you would not take it yourselves except that you connive at it. And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.
English Short Commentary
O ye who believe! spend of the good things that you have earned, and of what We produce for you from the earth; and seek not what is bad that you may spend out of it when you would not take it yourselves except that you connive at it.[337] And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.
337. The verse implies that believers should spend in the cause of God what is good and pure; for even a lawfully earned property might include things that are bad. Old and used things may be given to the poor, but worn out articles of use alone should not be singled out for that purpose. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
O ye who believe! spend of the good things that you have earned, and of what We produce for you from the earth; and seek not what is bad to spend out of it when you would not take it yourselves except that you connive at it. And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praise-worthy.[274]
274. Important Words:
تیمموا (seek) is derived from یم or ام. They say یمه i.e. he sought it. یمم فلانابرمح means, he sought and singled out that person for attacking with his spear. تیمم الامر means, he sought and singled out the affair. تیمم للصلوة means, he performed what is termed تیمم for his Prayers, i.e. instead of performing the prescribed ablution with water he sought dust and touching it with his hands passed them over his face, etc. (Aqrab & Mufradat).
خبیث (bad) is derived from خبث i.e. he or it was or became bad or foul or abominable or wicked or filthy or impure (Lane).
تغمضوا (connive) is derived from اغمض which again is derived from غمض i.e. it became hidden and concealed. غمض فی الکلامmeans, he made his speech obscure, and abstained from making it clear in meaning. اغمض means, he closed, or shut his eyes; he connived at something so as to practically treat it as something unseen or hidden. اغمض فی البیع means, he demanded a lowering of the price of a thing owing to its badness. اغمض عنه فی البیع means, he connived at the bad quality of the thing and was not strict settling its price (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
The verse implies that believers should not only spend in the cause of Allah but should spend what is good and pure; for even a lawfully-earned property might include things that are bad. They should not deliberately select worthless and worn out things for the purpose of charity. Old and second-hand things may indeed be given to the poor, but such things should not be specially selected or singled out for this purpose. Indeed, a believer can be said to have properly discharged his duty for "spending" in the cause of Allah only if he spends "good things". (close)
اُردو
اے وہ لوگو جو ایمان لائے ہو! جو کچھ تم کماتے ہو اس میں سے اور اس میں سے بھی جو ہم نے تمہارے لئے زمین میں سے نکالا ہے پاکیزہ چیزیں خرچ کرو۔ اور (اللہ کی راہ میں) خرچ کرتے وقت اس میں سے ایسی ناپاک چیز کا قصد نہ کیا کرو کہ تُم اُسے ہرگز قبول کرنے والے نہ ہو سوائے اس کے کہ تم (سبکی کے خیال سے) اس سے صرفِ نظر کرو۔ اور جان لو کہ اللہ بے نیاز (اور) بہت قابلِ تعریف ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
اے ایمان دارو! جو کچھ تم نے کمایا ہے‘ اس میں سے پاکیزہ چیزیں اور (نیز) اس میں سے جو ہم نے تمہارے لئے زمین سے نکالا ہے (اللہ کی راہ میں حسب توفیق) خرچ کرو اور ناکارہ چیز (کو) اور جس میں سے تم خرچ (تو) کرتے ہو مگر تم خود سوائے اس کے (کہ) اس (کے قبول کرنے) میں چشم پوشی سے کام لو اسے ہرگز قبول نہیں کرتے (صدقہ کے لئے) بالارادہ نہ چنا کرو اور جان لو کہ اللہ (بالکل) بے نیاز (اور) بہت ہی حمد کا مستحق ہے۔
Français
Ô croyants, dépensez des bonnes choses que vous aurez gagnées et de ce que Nous produisons pour vous de la terre ; et ne cherchez pas ce qui est défectueux pour dépenser dans le chemin d’Allāh – ce que vous-mêmes n’accepteriez qu’avec les yeux baissés de honte. Et sachez qu’Allāh Se suffit à Lui-Même, et qu’Il est Digne de louange.
Español
¡Oh creyentes! gastad de las cosas buenas que habéis ganado y de lo que hacemos brotar de la tierra para vosotros; y no busquéis lo malo para entregarlo, cuando no lo cogeríais para vosotros mismos salvo bajando la mirada por vergüenza. Y sabed que Al-lah es Suficiente en Sí mismo, Merecedor de toda alabanza.
Deutsch
O die ihr glaubt, spendet von dem Guten, das ihr erwarbt, und von dem, was Wir für euch aus der Erde hervorbringen; und sucht zum Almosenspenden nicht das Schlechte aus, das ihr ja selbst nicht nähmet, es sei denn, ihr drücktet dabei ein Auge zu; und wisset, dass Allah Sich Selbst genügend, preiswürdig ist.
اَلشَّیۡطٰنُ یَعِدُکُمُ الۡفَقۡرَ وَ یَاۡمُرُکُمۡ بِالۡفَحۡشَآءِ ۚ وَ اللّٰہُ یَعِدُکُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَۃً مِّنۡہُ وَ فَضۡلًا ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۲۶۹﴾ۖۙ
ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلۡفَقۡرَ وَيَأۡمُرُكُم بِٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغۡفِرَةٗ مِّنۡهُ وَفَضۡلٗاۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ
English
Satan threatens you with poverty and enjoins upon you what is foul, whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is Bountiful, All- Knowing.
English Short Commentary
[a]Satan threatens you with poverty[338] and enjoins upon you what is foul,[339] whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.
338. Faqara means, he bored a hole into a pearl; Faqura means, he became poor and needy and Faqira means, he had a complaint of his vertebrae. Thus Faqr means, poverty; want or need which breaks the back of the poor man; care or anxiety or disquietude of mind (Lane). (close)
339. The verse removes the satanic misgiving that spending liberally in the cause of God may render one poor; on the contrary it emphatically declares that if wealthy people do not spend freely in good causes, the result would be national Faqr, i.e. the country would suffer economically and decline morally because, if the economic needs of the less fortunate members of the community are not adequately met, they are tempted to resort to Fahsha’ (foul and immoral means) to earn their livelihood. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
[a]Satan threatens you with poverty and enjoins upon you what is foul, whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. And Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.[275]
275. Important Words:
فقر (poverty). The verb فقر (faqara) means, he dug into the ground; he bored a hole into a pearl, etc.; he cut into and penetrated a thing. فقر (faqura) means, he became poor and needy. فقر (faqira) means, he had a complaint of his vertebrae. الفقر signifies, poverty; want or need; care and anxiety or disquietude of mind. فقیر of which the plural is فقراء is one who is poor and needy; also one having a complaint of the vertebrae, arising from fracture or disease (Aqrab).
Commentary:
The most handy weapon for Satan is to suggest to the people that if they spend their wealth in charity, they will become poor. But this is a most foolish suggestion; for, if people obey Satan, the result will be فقر i.e. national interests will suffer and the country will definitely decline in prosperity; and if the country declines, individuals cannot remain unaffected. Again, if we do not help our less fortunate countrymen, they will be tempted to resort to فحشاء i.e. foul and unfair means, and the community will become degraded in the eyes of others.
Two pairs of words occur in this verse and their order deserves notice. According to their significance, فضل (bounty) corresponds to فقر (poverty) and مغفرة (forgiveness or the covering of shortcomings) corresponds to فحشاء (foul or infamous conduct). Now, following the above significance of the words, the word فضل ought to have preceded the word مغفرة. But this order has not been observed in the verse, the reason being that whereas the first result of accepting Satan’s suggestion, as mentioned in the present verse, is فقر and then comes فحشاء, the first and immediate consequence of one’s spending one’s wealth in charity is مغفرة and فضل comes afterwards.
Another reason for this order is that Satan cares more for wealth than good name; hence in his case فقر precedes فحشاء. But the righteous care more for God’s forgiveness than for worldly prosperity, hence in their case the precedence of the former to the latter.
Forgiveness from Allah as promised here, signifies that not only will men deal kindly and magnanimously with those who spend their wealth in charity, but God also will deal kindly with them. If a man helps the poor, people generally connive at his faults. Similarly, God will pardon his sins and forgive his shortcomings. Nay, He will do more. He will bestow grace and bounty on him, i.e. He will make him prosper and thrive as a result of his charity. The verse also hints that if, in spite of the evil suggestions of Satan, we spend our wealth for the good of humanity, not only shall we prosper individually but also rise as a nation.
Finally God is واسع (Bountiful), hence His bounty will have no limit. He is also علیم (All-Knowing), hence He will help righteous men in ways beyond their wildest imagination. (close)
اُردو
شیطان تمہیں غربت سے ڈراتا ہے اور تمہیں فحشاءکا حکم دیتا ہے۔ جبکہ اللہ تمہارے ساتھ اپنی جناب سے بخشش اور فضل کا وعدہ کرتا ہے اور اللہ وسعتیں عطا کرنے والا (اور) دائمی علم رکھنے والا ہے۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
شیطان تمہیں محتاجی سے ڈراتا ہے اور تمہیں بے حیائی کی تلقین کرتا ہے اور اللہ اپنی طرف سے ایک بڑی بخشش اور بڑے فضل کا تم سے وعدہ کرتا ہے اور اللہ بہت وسعت دینے والا (اور) بہت جاننے والا ہے۔
Français
Satan vous menace de misère, et vous enjoint l’indécence, tandis qu’Allāh vous promet pardon et munificence de Sa part et Allāh est Munificent, Omniscient.
Español
Satanás os amenaza con la pobreza y os ordena lo que es inmundo, mientras que Al-lah os promete el perdón de Sí mismo y la magnanimidad. Y Al-lah es Bondadoso, Omnisciente.
Deutsch
Satan warnt euch vor Armut und befiehlt euch Schändliches, während Allah euch Seine Vergebung und Huld verheißt; und Allah ist huldreich, allwissend.
یُّؤۡتِی الۡحِکۡمَۃَ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَ مَنۡ یُّؤۡتَ الۡحِکۡمَۃَ فَقَدۡ اُوۡتِیَ خَیۡرًا کَثِیۡرًا ؕ وَ مَا یَذَّکَّرُ اِلَّاۤ اُولُوا الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿۲۷۰﴾
يُؤۡتِي ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُؤۡتَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ فَقَدۡ أُوتِيَ خَيۡرٗا كَثِيرٗاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ
English
He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would be reminded except those endowed with understanding.
English Short Commentary
[a]He grants wisdom[340] to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would take heed except those endowed with understanding.
340. The verse means that the injunction, regarding spending wealth in charity which is the secret of national progress and prosperity, is based on wisdom. (close)
English Five Volume Commentary
[a]He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would be reminded except those endowed with understanding.[276]
276. Commentary:
The verse points out that the injunction regarding spending wealth in charity, which is the secret of national advancement, is based on wisdom. The word حکمة (wisdom) also alludes to the fulfilment of the prayer which Abraham had offered to God for the raising of a Prophet among the Meccans, who should teach them the Book and Wisdom (2:130).
The people who receive wisdom receive "an abundant good" and are thus sure to thrive and prosper if they act on it. (close)
اُردو
وہ جسے چاہے حکمت عطا کرتا ہے۔ اور جو بھی حکمت دیا جائے تو یقیناً وہ خیرِ کثیر دیا گیا۔ اور عقل والوں کے سوا کوئی نصیحت نہیں پکڑتا۔
اُردو تفسیر صغیر
وہ جسے چاہتا ہے حکمت عطا کرتا ہے اور جسے حکمت عطا کی گئی ہو تو (سمجھو کہ) اسے (ایک) بہت ہی نفع رساں چیز مل گئی اور (یاد رہے کہ) عقلمندوں کے سوا نصیحت بھی کوئی حاصل نہیں کیا کرتا۔
Français
Il accorde la sagesse à qui Il veut et quiconque se voit accorder la sagesse a certes obtenu beaucoup de bien ; et seuls prennent garde ceux qui sont doués d’entendement.
Español
Él concede la sabiduría a quien le place. Y a quien se le da la sabiduría se le concede un bien excelente; y nadie se acuerda excepto los dotados de conocimiento.
Deutsch
Er gewährt Weisheit, wem Er will; und wem da Weisheit gewährt ward, dem ward wahrhaftig viel Wertvolles gewährt; niemand aber will es bedenken, außer den mit Verständnis Begabten.