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
أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ ۛ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ ۛ لَا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۚ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرَدُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فِىٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كَفَرْنَا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَنَآ إِلَيْهِ مُرِيبٍ
Has there not reached you the news of those before you - the people of Noah and ʿAad and Thamūd and those after them? No one knows them [i.e., their number] but Allāh. Their messengers brought them clear proofs, but they returned their hands to their mouths and said, "Indeed, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."
وَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّقَرَّنِينَ فِى ٱلْأَصْفَادِ
And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in irons,
وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍ
And, [O Muḥammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation?
ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ
Allāh, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And woe [i.e., destruction] to the disbelievers from a severe punishment -