Transliteration:( Yaaa 'ayyuhal lazeena aamanooo anfiqoo min taiyibaati maa kasabtum wa mimmaaa akhrajna lakum minal ardi wa laa tayammamul khabeesa minhu tunfiqoona wa lastum bi aakhizeehi illaaa an tughmidoo feeh; wa'lamooo annal laaha Ghaniyyun Hameed )
"O you who believe! Give [704] from the good things, which you have earned, and from what We have brought forth for you from the earth [705]. Do not intend to give the worthless part of your earnings in charity, while you would not take it yourself, unless with closed eyes [706]. And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy."
From the words “what We have brought forth from the earth”, several rulings emerge:
One should engage in lawful and productive work, such as farming, trade, or employment. Being idle and dependent is discouraged.
It is better to give charity from one’s own earned wealth.
Charity should be given from what is most beloved to the giver.
Only lawfully acquired wealth should be used in charity.
One should not give away all wealth—some must be retained for personal and family needs.
Charity includes more than Zakaat—voluntary giving is also emphasized by the word “you spend.”
This verse is used by Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمه الله) as evidence that Zakaat is wajib (obligatory) on agricultural produce, even if:
The amount is small,
Or it doesn’t survive for a full year.
This is because the phrase “of what We have brought forth” implies generality.
This ruling is supported by Prophetic traditions:
For land irrigated by rainwater, Zakaat is 1/10.
For land irrigated by manual labor or wells, Zakaat is 1/20.
The hadith about five Wasaq being exempt relates to trade goods, not agricultural yield.
Note: 1 Wasaq = 40 Dirhams, which matches the Nisab (minimum amount) for Zakaat on trade items.
This verse was revealed about those who gave spoiled or damaged dates as charity.
Allah criticizes the act of giving what one would not accept for himself, except with closed eyes.
It teaches that one should give in charity what is dear and valuable, if they hope for great reward from Allah.
High-quality, sincere giving reflects the true spirit of charity.
266. Would any of you wish to have a garden with date palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, while he is striken with old age, and his children are weak (not able to look after themselves), then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind, so that it is burnt Thus does Allah make clear His Ayat to you that you may give thought.
Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas and `Ubayd bin `Umayr said that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, “According to your opinion, about whom was this Ayah revealed,
(Would any of you wish to have a garden with date palms and vines…).”
They said, “Allah knows best.” `Umar became angry and said, “Say we know or we do not know.” Ibn `Abbas said, “O Leader of the Faithful! I have an opinion about it.” `Umar said, “O my nephew! Say your opinion and do not belittle yourself.” Ibn `Abbas said, “This is an example set for a deed.” `Umar said, “What type of deed” Ibn `Abbas said, “For a wealthy man who works in Allah’s pleasure and then Allah sends Shaytan to him, and he works in disobedience, until he annuls his good works.”
This Hadith suffices as an explanation for the Ayah, for it explains the example it sets by a person who does good first and then follows it with evil, may Allah save us from this end. So, this man annulled his previous good works with his latter evil works. When he desperately needed the deeds of the former type, there were none. This is why Allah said,
(while he is striken with old age, and his children are weak (not able to look after themselves), then it is struck with a whirlwind) with heavy wind,
(that is fiery, so that it is burnt) meaning, its fruits were burnt and its trees were destroyed. Therefore, what will his condition be like
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Allah has set a good parable, and all His parables are good. He said,
(Would any of you wish to have a garden with date palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein.)
But he lost all this in his old age,
(while he is striken with old age) while his offspring and children are weak just before the end of his life. Then a lightning storm came and destroyed his garden. Then he did not have the strength to grow another garden, nor did his offspring offer enough help. This is the condition of the disbeliever on the Day of Resurrection when he returns to Allah, for he will not have any good deeds to provide an excuse – or refuge – for him, just as the man in the parable had no strength to replant the garden. The disbeliever will not find anything to resort to for help, just as the offspring of the man in the parable did not provide him with help. So he will be deprived of his reward when he most needs it, just as the man in the parable was deprived of Allah’s garden when he most needed it, when he became old and his offspring weak.”
In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim recorded that the Messenger of Allah used to say in his supplication,
(O Allah! Make Your biggest provision for me when I am old in age and at the time my life ends.)
This is why Allah said,
(Thus Allah makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought) meaning, comprehend and understand the parables and their intended implications. Similarly, Allah said,
(And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His signs)) ﴿29:43﴾.
(2:267) Believers! Spend (in the Way of Allah) out of the good things you have earned and out of what We have produced for you from the earth, and choose not for your spending the bad things such as you yourselves would not accept or accept only by overlooking its defects. Know well that Allah is All-Munificent, Most Praiseworthy.[308]
308. It is obvious that He Who is invested with the best attributes cannot be appreciative of those possessed of low and evil qualities. God is, for instance, Generous and Beneficent, and constantly showers His favours and bounties on His creatures. How is it possible for Him, then, to love those who are mean, niggardly and vicious?
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics