۞ قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًى ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌ 263
Translations
Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allāh is Free of need and Forbearing.
Transliteration
Qawlun ma'rufun wa maghfiratun khayrun min sadaqatin yatba'uha adhan. Wallahu ghanniyyun halim.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that kind and respectful speech combined with forgiveness is superior to charity that is followed by harm or hurt to the recipient's feelings. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that charity given with reminders of one's generosity, verbal abuse, or condescension negates its spiritual value and wounds the dignity of the poor. Allah, being Self-Sufficient (Ghani) and Forbearing (Halim), does not need our charity; what He values is the purity of our intentions and the respect we show to His servants.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the section of Surah Al-Baqarah (ayahs 262-274) that discusses the etiquette of giving charity (sadaqah). It addresses the cultural practice in Arabia where wealthy individuals would sometimes boast about or shame recipients through their charitable acts, thus corrupting the spiritual essence of the act. The broader context emphasizes that true charity is accompanied by good character and respect for human dignity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Every good deed is charity, and the best charity is to give when you are in need yourself' (Tirmidhi). Related to dignity in giving: 'The best charity is that given when one is in straitened circumstances' (Ahmad), emphasizing that the manner and spirit of giving matters more than the amount.
Themes
Key Lesson
True charity transcends the material gift—it must be accompanied by kind words, respect, and the absence of reminders or conditions that diminish the recipient's dignity. In our modern context of philanthropic giving and social aid, this ayah reminds us that how we give is as important as what we give, and that preserving the self-respect and emotional well-being of others is a fundamental Islamic principle.