مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ 261
Translations
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allāh multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Mathalu alladhina yunfiquna amwalahum fi sabilillahi kamathali habbatin anbatat saba sanabila fi kulli sunbulatin mi'atu habbah. Wallahu yudaa'ifu liman yasha'. Wallahu waasi'un alim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a parable comparing those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah to a grain of wheat that produces seven ears, each containing one hundred grains—thus multiplying the initial investment seven hundredfold. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this illustrates how Allah rewards charitable giving exponentially, with the multiplication being contingent upon His will. The ayah emphasizes that Allah's knowledge and generosity are boundless; He may increase the reward even beyond this example for whom He wills.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a Medinan passage addressing the encouragement of charitable spending (infaq) among the Muslim community during a period when financial contributions were essential for sustaining the nascent Islamic state. The broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah emphasizes financial obligations, purification through charity, and the development of a just society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Charity does not decrease wealth' is a well-known hadith principle found in various collections emphasizing the blessing of giving.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that charitable spending in Allah's way is not a loss but an investment with divine returns that far exceed worldly measures. For modern readers, it encourages cultivating a generous spirit with the certainty that Allah recognizes and rewards every act of goodwill, regardless of the amount given.
Related Ayahs
وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ
And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allāh]
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them - they will not believe.
سَلْ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ كَمْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۭ بَيِّنَةٍ ۗ وَمَن يُبَدِّلْ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
Ask the Children of Israel how many a sign of evidence We have given them. And whoever exchanges the favor of Allāh [for disbelief] after it has come to him - then indeed, Allāh is severe in penalty.
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination."