يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّآ أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغْمِضُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ 267
Translations
O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu anfiqū min tayyibāti mā kasabtum wa-mimmā akhrajnā lakum min al-ardi wa-lā tayammamū al-khabītha minhu tunfiqūn wa-lastum bi-ākhidhīhi illā an tughmiḍū fīhi wa-a'lamū anna Allāha ghaniyyun hamīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to spend from the best of their earnings and the provisions Allah has granted them from the earth, while strictly prohibiting the spending of defective, inferior, or unlawful wealth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Allah rejects charity that consists of poor quality items one would not accept for oneself, establishing that true charity requires sincerity and generosity of spirit. The ayah concludes by reminding believers that Allah is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy, negating any notion that He needs our charity.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina and is thematically connected to the broader discussion of charitable spending (infāq) in Surah Al-Baqarah. It addresses a practical problem among some early Muslims who would give away damaged, rotten, or inferior goods as charity while keeping the best for themselves—a practice that contradicts the spirit of true generosity and obedience to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallā Allāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The best charity is when you give while you are in need' (related to the principle of genuine sacrifice). Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet condemned those who give defective animals as charity: 'Avoid the two blameworthy things' in relation to charitable giving.
Themes
Key Lesson
True charity requires offering the best of what we have, not merely disposing of unwanted items, reflecting that our giving should cost us something meaningful. This teaches believers that Allah values the intention and quality behind our actions—we cannot fool the All-Knowing, and genuine worship demands authentic sacrifice rather than superficial compliance.