فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ 5
Translations
As for he who gives and fears Allāh
Transliteration
Fa-amma man a'ta wattaqa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the righteous person who gives in charity and practices taqwa (God-consciousness and piety). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this verse presents the characteristics of those who will find ease in their affairs and spiritual guidance, contrasting with those who withhold and deny the truth. The combination of giving (material generosity) and taqwa (spiritual consciousness) represents the complete manifestation of faith in both word and deed.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Layl was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period and addresses the fundamental dichotomy between the righteous path and the destructive path. This ayah begins the description of the fortunate ones (al-sa'id) who will attain ease and success, serving as a response to the oath at the beginning of the surah regarding night and day as signs of Allah's creation and moral choice.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing practical virtue. Additionally, 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46) relates to the theme of giving and piety over material attachment.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success in Islam requires both external actions of generosity and internal commitment to God-consciousness; merely having wealth means nothing without the willingness to give and the sincere fear of Allah that motivates ethical behavior. This balance between material responsibility and spiritual devotion remains essential guidance for believers seeking a meaningful and purposeful life.