خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 103
Translations
Take, [O Muḥammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allāh's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Khudh min amwalihim sadaqatan tutahhiruhum wa tuzakkihim biha wa salli alaihim inna salataka sakunun lahum wallahu samīʿun ʿalīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to collect voluntary charity (sadaqah) from the believers' wealth, which serves as a means of spiritual purification and growth for them. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note that the Prophet's supplication (salah/dua) for those who give charity is a consolation and comfort to their hearts, and Allah is fully aware of their intentions and deeds. The dual function of charity—both purifying the giver and increasing their spiritual rank—is emphasized as a divine mechanism for moral and spiritual development.
Revelation Context
This ayah is situated in Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9), which was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah during the period of campaigns and expeditions. The broader context addresses repentance, the necessity of sincere faith, and the financial obligations of believers. This particular ayah relates to the collection of sadaqah and emphasizes the spiritual benefits accompanying voluntary charity.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim from Abu Huraira: 'Wealth and children are adornments of the worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in hope.' Additionally, the Prophet said in Tirmidhi: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives,' reinforcing the purifying nature of voluntary giving.
Themes
Key Lesson
Giving charity is not merely a transaction of wealth, but a transformative spiritual practice that purifies the soul and elevates the character of the believer. The acknowledgment that even the Prophet's supplication brings comfort reminds us that charitable acts carry blessings beyond material redistribution—they touch the heart and strengthen community bonds.
Related Ayahs
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَـٰنَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allāh, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.
فَرِحَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلَـٰفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوٓا۟ أَن يُجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَنفِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَرِّ ۗ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرًّا ۚ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَفْقَهُونَ
Those who remained behind rejoiced in their staying [at home] after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh and disliked to strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allāh and said, "Do not go forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is more intense in heat" - if they would but understand.
وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And remove the fury in their [i.e., the believers'] hearts. And Allāh turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
إِن تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ قَدْ أَخَذْنَآ أَمْرَنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ
If good befalls you, it distresses them; but if disaster strikes you, they say, "We took our matter [in hand] before," and turn away while they are rejoicing.