وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 280
Translations
And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.
Transliteration
Wa-in kana dhu 'usratin fa-nadharun ila maysarah, wa-an tasdaqqū khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the case of a debtor experiencing financial hardship, commanding creditors to grant respite until the debtor regains financial ability (ease). Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that granting such delay is obligatory as an act of justice and compassion. The ayah further encourages voluntary forgiveness of the debt as an even greater good, contingent upon understanding this wisdom—reflecting Islam's emphasis on mercy over mere legal enforcement of debts.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the passage on lending and usury (riba) in Surah Al-Baqarah, specifically addressing the ethical treatment of debtors facing hardship. It was revealed in Madinah during the consolidation of Islamic law regarding financial transactions, emphasizing that Islamic commerce must be tempered with mercy and social responsibility toward the vulnerable.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever gives respite to one in difficulty, or remits his debt, Allah will shade him on the Day of Judgment' (reported in various collections with similar wording). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' relates contextually to financial kindness toward dependents and creditors showing similar mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true Islamic economics balances contractual obligations with humanitarian compassion; believers are reminded that forgiving debts or granting respite to those in hardship is not merely permissible but spiritually superior, reflecting the Islamic principle that mercy and justice must walk hand in hand in all dealings.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
[But] Allāh mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَـٰسِكَكُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ ءَابَآءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا ۗ فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍ
And when you have completed your rites, remember Allāh like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.
أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ
Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.