قُل لِّعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خِلَـٰلٌ 31
Translations
[O Muḥammad], tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange [i.e., ransom], nor any friendships.
Transliteration
Qul li-'ibadi alladhina amanu yaqimu as-salata wa yunfiqu mimma razaqnahum sirran wa 'alananiyyatan min qabli an ya'tiya yawmun la bay'a fihi wa la khilal
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet to instruct the believers to establish prayer and spend from their provisions—both secretly and openly—before the arrival of the Day of Judgment when neither buying nor selling (commerce) nor friendship will be of benefit. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes the urgency of righteous deeds while time remains, as the afterlife admits no opportunity for compensation or worldly transactions. Al-Qurtubi notes that 'khilal' (friendship/companionship) refers to intercession or mutual help, neither of which will avail on that Day.
Revelation Context
Surah Ibrahim is a Meccan chapter revealed during a period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This ayah contextually follows reminders of divine blessings and precedes warnings about disbelief, fitting the surah's theme of exhorting believers toward steadfastness and obedience. The emphasis on urgency reflects the Meccan period's call to spiritual preparation amid worldly trials.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing preparedness for the Day of Judgment through righteous conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that wealth and relationships offer no refuge on the Day of Judgment; therefore, one must invest in spiritual capital through prayer and charitable giving today. The emphasis on both hidden and public charity reminds us that sincerity before Allah is paramount, while visible good also serves as a model and encouragement to others.
Related Ayahs
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى وَهَبَ لِى عَلَى ٱلْكِبَرِ إِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَسَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ
Praise to Allāh, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication.
وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ تَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَـٰمٌ
And those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein by permission of their Lord; and their greeting therein will be, "Peace!"
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ كَرَمَادٍ ٱشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلُ ٱلْبَعِيدُ
The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord is [that] their deeds are like ashes which the wind blows forcefully on a stormy day; they are unable [to keep] from what they earned a [single] thing. That is what is extreme error.
وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor [i.e., blessings] of Allāh, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.