۞ لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَىٰهُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ 272
Translations
Not upon you, [O Muḥammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allāh guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
Transliteration
Laysa alayika hudaahum wa laakin-nallaha yahdee man yashaa wa ma tunfiqoo min khayrin falianfusikum wa ma tunfiqoon illa ibtighaa wajhallah wa ma tunfiqoo min khayrin yuwaffa ilaikum wa antum la tuzlamoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that the Prophet's (ﷺ) responsibility is only to convey the message, not to compel belief, as guidance is solely in Allah's hands. The verse emphasizes that charitable spending benefits the giver primarily, and all expenditure made sincerely for Allah's pleasure will be repaid in full without any loss or injustice. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this ayah establishes the principle of sincere intention (niyyah) in charity and removes the burden of forcing others toward faith.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah, this ayah appears in the context of verses discussing charity and spending in the way of Allah. It addresses the believers' concerns about the effectiveness of their charitable efforts and their responsibility toward guiding others, reassuring them that their sincere efforts will not be wasted. The broader context (2:262-271) discusses the etiquette and rewards of charitable giving.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1952). Additionally, the hadith: 'Actions are judged by intentions, and each person shall have what he intended' (Sahih Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907) directly supports the emphasis on sincere niyyah in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should give charity and good deeds with sincere intention for Allah's pleasure, trusting that Allah alone guides hearts and that no good deed performed sincerely is ever wasted. This liberates the believer from the burden of forcing others to believe while encouraging wholehearted participation in charitable works.