لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ 92
Translations
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allāh] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.
Transliteration
Lan tanalū al-birra ḥattā tunfiqū mimmā tuḥibbūn. Wa mā tunfiqū min shay'in fa-inna Allāha bihi 'alīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that true righteousness (al-birr) cannot be attained without sacrificing what one loves most through charitable spending (infāq). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse challenges believers to transcend material attachment and demonstrate sincere devotion to Allah, as the sacrifice of beloved possessions is the true test of faith. The final clause affirms that Allah's complete knowledge encompasses all acts of charity, whether hidden or public, ensuring divine recognition and reward.
Revelation Context
This Medinan ayah addresses the early Muslim community regarding the spiritual dimension of wealth and charitable obligation. It comes within a broader passage discussing the characteristics of piety and righteousness, emphasizing that external acts of worship must be accompanied by genuine sacrifice and detachment from worldly possessions.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is when one gives while in need,' emphasizing the significance of sacrificing what is beloved. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records the incident of Abu Bakr's charity, where he gave away his entire wealth in Allah's path, exemplifying the practical application of this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
Genuine piety demands that believers sacrifice not merely their surplus, but what they genuinely love, as this reflects true submission to Allah. Modern readers should reflect on whether their charitable giving represents real sacrifice, prompting introspection about prioritizing spiritual growth over material attachment.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers.
لَقَدْ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Certainly did Allāh confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.
قُلْ إِن تُخْفُوا۟ مَا فِى صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say, "Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allāh knows it. And He knows that which is in the heavens and that which is on the earth. And Allāh is over all things competent.