Transliteration:( Qul anfiqoo taw'an aw karhal lany yutaqabbala min kum innakum kuntum qawman faasiqeen )
Say, "Spend willingly or unwillingly; it will not be accepted from you. Indeed, you are a disobedient people [148]."
This verse was revealed in response to Juda bin Qais, a hypocrite during the Battle of Tabuk, who apologized for not participating personally but offered to donate wealth instead.
The verse indicates that whether the hypocrites spend willingly or unwillingly, their contribution will not be accepted—either by the Prophet ﷺ or by Allah Almighty.
Here, “you spend” does not refer to an obligatory command but is an informational statement rejecting the sincerity of their offering.
According to the commentator of Roohul Bayaan, Juda bin Qais later sincerely accepted Islam and died during the Caliphate of Hazrat Uthman (May Allah be pleased with him).
This verse highlights that disobedience and hypocrisy invalidate seemingly good deeds if the inner intention is false.
The tafsir of Surah Taubah verse 53 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Taubah ayat 52 which provides the complete commentary from verse 52 through 54.
(9:53) Tell them: “Whether you spend your money willingly or unwillingly,[53] it shall not find acceptance (with Allah) for you are an evil-doing folk.”
53. This ayat is a sharp retort to those hypocrites who desired exemption froth Jihad but, at the same time, wanted to make some monetary contributions in order to avoid the exposure of their hypocrisy, They said, “Please grant us leave from military service because we are unable to do this, but we are ready to make monetary contributions towards it.” To this Allah retorted, saying, “Whatever you may contribute, it shall not be accepted.”
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics