إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا 9
Translations
[Saying], "We feed you only for the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.
Transliteration
Innama nutʿimukum liwajhi Allahi la nurid minkum jazaan wa la shukura
Tafsir (Explanation)
The righteous servants of Allah feed the poor and needy solely for the pleasure of Allah, seeking neither reward nor gratitude from those they help. This verse emphasizes the purest form of charity (sadaqah) and benevolence—done with sincere intention (niyyah) without expectation of return or recognition. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi highlight that this represents the highest spiritual station in giving, where the giver's heart is entirely devoted to Allah's pleasure rather than worldly gain or social recognition.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Insan (Chapter 76), a Medinan surah that describes the characteristics of the righteous believers and their reward in Paradise. The surah specifically mentions those who feed the poor during famine (verse 8) and establishes the principle of charitable giving without selfish motives, contextualizing Islamic values of compassion and community responsibility during the Prophet's time in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Whoever gives charity and conceals it, such that their left hand does not know what their right hand gives' (Sahih Bukhari 1491) reflects the spirit of this ayah regarding sincere, unheralded charity.
Themes
Key Lesson
True charity transcends material transaction—it must spring from a heart devoted solely to Allah's approval, not seeking recognition, gratitude, or material return. In our modern world of social media visibility and public acknowledgment, this ayah calls believers to examine their intentions and give quietly, remembering that Allah sees what others cannot.