۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ ٱلْعَفْوَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ 219
Translations
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allāh makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought
Transliteration
Yas'alunaka anil-khamri wal-maysir. Qul fihima ithmun kabir wa manaafi'u lin-nas wa ithmuhuma akbaru min nafi'ihima. Wa yas'alunaka maadha yunfiqun. Qulil-'afw. Kadhalika yubayyinul-lahu lakumul-ayat la'allakum tatafakkarun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses two questions from the Companions about intoxicants (khamr) and gambling (maysir). Allah acknowledges that while both may have some worldly benefits, their harms far outweigh any benefits, establishing the principle of weighing consequences before action. Ibn Kathir notes this represents a gradual approach to prohibition, preparing the Muslim community for the complete ban revealed later. The second part addresses charitable spending (infaq), instructing believers to give from their surplus (al-'afw) rather than what they need, balancing justice with generosity.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during the early Islamic period when the Muslim community was still adjusting to Islamic law. This ayah represents the first stage of prohibition regarding intoxicants and gambling—acknowledging their harms while the complete prohibition came in later surahs (5:90-91). The question about spending reflects the Companions' earnestness in understanding Islamic financial ethics.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives.' Related to the concept of al-'afw. Also, various hadiths in Sahih Muslim describe the Prophet's prohibition of khamr and maysir as part of major sins.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims to critically evaluate their actions by weighing consequences rather than being swayed by superficial benefits, and to practice charity from their surplus with a mindset of justice and compassion rather than self-deprivation.