Giving Charity to Polytheists
Abu `Abdur-Rahman An-Nasa'i recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that they, "Disliked giving charity to their polytheist relatives, but were later on allowed to give it to them when they inquired about this matter, and this Ayah was revealed,
لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلاًّنفُسِكُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
(Not upon you (Muhammad ) is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Face. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.)
Allah's statement,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلاًّنفُسِكُمْ
(And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves) is similar to His other statement,
مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَـلِحاً فَلِنَفْسِهِ
(Whosoever does righteous good deed, it is for (the benefit of) his ownself.)
There are many other similar Ayat in the Qur'an.
Allah said next,
وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ
(When you spend not except seeking Allah's Face. )
Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented, "Whenever the believer spends, including what he spends on himself, he seeks Allah's Face with it." `Ata' Al-Khurasani said that the Ayah means, "You give away charity for the sake of Allah. Therefore, you will not be asked about the deeds or wickedness of those who receive it." This is a sound meaning indicating that when one spends in charity for Allah's sake, then his reward will be with Allah. He will not be asked if the charity unintentionally reached righteous, evil, deserving or undeserving persons, for he will be rewarded for his good intention. The proof to this statement is the Ayah,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
(And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.)
The Two Sahihs recorded a Hadith by Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«قَالَ رَجُلٌ: لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ زَانِيَةٍ، فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرَجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ غَنِيَ، فَأَصْبَحُوا يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَى غَنِيَ، قَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى غَنِيَ، لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرَجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ سَارِقٍ، فَأَصْبَحُوا يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَى سَارِقٍ، فَقَالَ:اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، وَعَلَى غَنِيَ، وَعَلَى سَارِقٍ. فَأُتِيَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ: أَمَّا صَدَقَتُكَ فَقَدْ قُبِلَتْ، وَأَمَّا الزَّانِيَةُ فَلَعَلَّهَا أَنْ تَسْتَعِفَّ بِهَا عَنْ زِنَاهَا، وَلَعَلَّ الْغَنِيَّ يَعْتَبِرُ فَيُنْفِقُ مِمَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللهُ، وَلَعَلَّ السَّارِقَ أَنْ يَسْتَعِفَّ بِهَا عَنْ سَرِقَتِه»
(A man said, "Tonight, I shall give charity." He went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to an adulteress. The next morning the people said that alms were given to an adulteress. The man said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I gave my alms) to an adulteress. Tonight, I shall give alms again." He went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to a rich person. The next morning (the people) said, "Last night, a wealthy person was given alms." He said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I gave alms) to a wealthy man. Tonight, I shall again give charity." So he went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to a thief. The next morning (the people) said, "Last night, a thief was given alms." He said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I have given alms) to an adulteress, a wealthy man and a thief." Then, someone came to him and said, "The alms that you gave away were accepted. As for the adulteress, the alms might make her abstain from adultery. As for the wealthy man, it might make him take a lesson and spend his wealth that Allah has given him. As for the thief, it might make him abstain from stealing.")
Who Deserves Charity
Allah said,
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ الَّذِينَ أُحصِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
((Charity is) for the poor, who in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel)) meaning, the migrants who migrated to Allah and His Messenger, resided in Al-Madinah and did not have resources that sufficiently provided them with their needs,
لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِى الاٌّرْضِ
(And cannot Darban (move about) in the land) meaning, "They cannot travel in the land to seek means of livelihood." Allah said in other instances using a variation of the word Darban
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُواْ مِنَ الصَّلوةِ
(And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten the Salah (the prayer)) 4:101, and,
أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُمْ مَّرْضَى وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَـتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَاقْرَءُواْ
(He knows that there will be some among you sick, others traveling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty, yet others fighting in Allah's cause) 73:20.
Allah then said,
يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ
(The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty) meaning, those who do not know their situation think that they are well-off, because they are modest in their clothes and speech. There is a Hadith with this meaning that the Two Sahihs recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي تَرُدُّهُ التَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ، وَاللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ، وَالْأُكْلَةُ وَالْأُكْلَتَانِ، وَلكِنِ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي لَا يَجِدُ غِنىً يُغْنِيهِ، وَلَا يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ، وَلَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا»
(The Miskin (needy) is not he who wanders about and whose need is sufficed by a date or two, a bite or two or a meal or two. Rather, the Miskin is he who neither has enough resources to sustain him, all the while people are unaware of his need so they do not give to him, nor does he ask people for anything.)
Imam Ahmad also recorded this Hadith from Ibn Mas`ud.
Allah's statement,
تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَـهُمْ
(You may know them by their mark) means, "Those who have good minds discover their situation," just as Allah said in other instances,
سِيمَـهُمْ فِى وُجُوهِهِمْ
(The mark of them (i.e. of their faith) is on their faces) 48:29, and,
وَلَتَعْرِفَنَّهُمْ فِى لَحْنِ الْقَوْلِ
(But surely, you will know them by the tone of their speech!) 47:30. Allah's statement,
لاَ يَسْـَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا
(they do not beg of people at all) means, they do not beg and, thus, do not require people to provide them with more than what they actually need. Indeed, those who ask people for help, while having what suffices for their needs, have begged.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`id said, "My mother sent me to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to ask him for help, but when I came by him I sat down. The Prophet faced me and said to me,
«مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللهُ، وَمَنِ اسْتَعَفَّ أَعَفَّهُ اللهُ، وَمَنِ اسْتَكَفَّ كَفَاهُ اللهُ، وَمَنْ سَأَلَ وَلَهُ قِيمَةُ أُوقِيَّةٍ فَقَدْ أَلْحَف»
(Whoever felt satisfied, then Allah will enrich him. Whoever is modest, Allah will make him decent. Whoever is content, then Allah will suffice for him. Whoever asks people, while having a small amout, he will have begged the people.)
Abu Sa`id said, "I said to myself, `I have a camel, Al-Yaqutah, and indeed, it is worth more than a small amount.' And I went back without asking the Prophet for anything." This is the same wording for this Hadith collected by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i.
Allah's statement,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
(And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well) indicates that no charity escapes Him, and He will reward it fully and perfectly on the Day of Resurrection, when it is most desperately needed.
Praise for those who Spend in Charity
Allah said,
الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَلَهُمْ بِالَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلاَنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُم عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.)
This Ayah praises those who spend in charity for Allah's sake, seeking His pleasure, day and night, publicly and in secret, including what one spends on his family. The Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas:
«وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِي بِهَا وَجْهَ اللهِ إِلَّا ازْدَدْتَ بِهَا دَرَجَةً وَرِفْعَةً، حَتَّى مَا تَجْعَلُ فِي فِي امْرَأَتِك»
(You will not spend charity with which you seek Allah's Face, but you will ascend a higher degree and status because of it, including what you put in your wife's mouth.)
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Mas`ud said that the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَ إِذَا أَنْفَقَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ نَفَقَةً يَحْتَسِبُهَا، كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَة»
(When the Muslim spends on his family while awaiting the reward for it from Allah, it will be written as charity for him.)
Al-Bukhari and Muslim also recorded this Hadith.
Allah said,
فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ
(shall have their reward with their Lord), on the Day of Resurrection, as reward for what they spent in acts of obedience. We previously explained the Ayah,
فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(there shall be no fear on them nor shall they grieve.)
Those who expend their wealth night and day secretly and openly their wage awaits them with their Lord and no fear shall befall them neither shall they grieve.
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve.As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say:Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away!Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
الذين يُخْرجون أموالهم مرضاة لله ليلا ونهارًا مسرِّين ومعلنين، فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم، ولا خوف عليهم فيما يستقبلونه من أمر الآخرة، ولا هم يحزنون على ما فاتهم من حظوظ الدنيا. ذلك التشريع الإلهي الحكيم هو منهاج الإسلام في الإنفاق لما فيه مِن سدِّ حاجة الفقراء في كرامة وعزة، وتطهير مال الأغنياء، وتحقيق التعاون على البر والتقوى؛ ابتغاء وجه الله دون قهر أو إكراه.
هذا مدح منه تعالى للمنفقين في سبيله وابتغاء مرضاته في جميع الأوقات من ليل أو نهار والأحوال من سر وجهار حتى إن النفقة على الأهل تدخل في ذلك أيضا كما ثبت في الصحيحين أن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال لسعد بن أبي وقاص حين عاده مريضا عام الفتح وفى رواية عام حجة الوداع وإنك لن تنفق نفقة تبتغي بها وجه الله إلا ازددت بها درجة ورفعة حتى ما تجعل في في امرأتك وقال الإمام أحمد: حدثنا محمد بن جعفر وبهز قالا: حدثنا شعبة عن عدي بن ثابت قال: سمعت عبدالله بن يزيد الأنصاري يحدث عن أبي مسعود رضي الله عنهما عن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أنه قال إن المسلم إذا أنفق على أهله نفقة يحتسبها كانت له صدقة أخرجاه من حديث شعبة به وقال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا أبو زرعة حدثنا سليمان بن عبدالرحمن حدثنا محمد بن شعيب قال: سمعت سعيد بن يسار عن يزيد بن عبدالله بن عريب المليكي عن أبيه عن جده عن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال نزلت هذه الآية "الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم" في أصحاب الخيل وقال حنش الصنعاني: عن ابن شهاب عن ابن عباس في هذه الآية قال: هم الذين يعلفون الخيل في سبيل الله رواه ابن أبي حاتم ثم قال: وكذا روي عن أبي أمامة وسعيد بن المسيب ومكحول وقال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا أبو سعيد الأشج أخبرنا يحيى بن يمان عن عبدالوهاب بن مجاهد عن ابن جبير عن أبيه قال: كان لعلي أربعة دراهم فأنفق درهما ليلا ودرهما نهارا ودرهما سرا ودرهما علانية فنزلت "الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية" وكذا رواه ابن جرير من طريق عبدالوهاب بن مجاهد وهو ضعيف لكن رواه ابن مردويه من وجه آخر عن ابن عباس أنها نزلت في علي بن أبي طالب وقوله "فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم" أي يوم القيامة على ما فعلوا من الإنفاق في الطاعات "ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون" تقدم تفسيره.
ثم ختم - سبحانه - الحديث عن النفقة والمنفقين بقوله : ( الذين يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بالليل والنهار سِرّاً وَعَلاَنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ) .وقوله : ( الذين يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بالليل والنهار سِرّاً وَعَلاَنِيَةً ) استئناف المقصود منه مدح أولئك الذين يعممون صدقاتهم في كل الأزمان وفي كل الأحوال فهم يتصدقون على المحتاجين في الليل وفي النهار ، في الغدو وفي الآصال ، في السر وفي العلن ، في كل وقت وفي كل حال ، لأنهم لقوة إيمانهم ، وصفاء نفوسهم يحرصون كل الحرص على كل ما يرضى الله تعالى .وقال بين الله - تعالى - في ثلاث جمل حسن عاقبتهم ، وعظيم ثوابهم فقال في الجملة الأولى ( فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ) أي فلهم أجرهم الجزيل عند خالقهم ومربيهم ورازقهم .والجملة الكريمة خبر لقوله : ( الذين يُنْفِقُونَ . . . ) ودخلت الفاء في الخبر لأن الموصول في معنى الشرط فتدخل الفاء في خبره جوازاً ، وللدلالة على سببية ما قبلها لما بعدها أي أن استحقاق الأجر متسبب عن الإِنفاق في سبيل الله .وقال في الجملة الثانية : ( وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ) أي : لا خوف عليهم من أي عذاب لأنهم في مأمن من عذاب الله بسبب ما قدموا من عمل صالح .وقال في الجملة الثالثة : ( وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ) أي لا يصيبهم ما يؤدي بهم إلى الحزن والهم والغم ، لأنهم دائماً في اطمئنان يدفع عنهم الهموم والأحزان وقد روى المفسرون في سبب نزول هذه الآية روايات منها " أن علي بن أبي طالب كان يملك أربعة دراهم فتصدق بدرهم ليلا ، وبدرهم نهاراً وبدرهم سراً ، وبدرهم علانية فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : " ما حملك على ذلك؟ فقال أريد أن أكون أهلا لما وعدني ربي . فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم : لك ذلك " " فأنزل الله هذه الآية .والحق أن هذه الرواية وغيرها لا تمنع عمومها ، فهي تنطبق على كل من بذل ماله في سبيل الله في عموم الأوقات والأحوال .أما بعد : فهذه أربع عشرة آية بدأت من قوله - تعالى - ( مَّثَلُ الذين يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ الله كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ . . . )وانتهت بقوله - تعالى - : ( الذين يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بالليل والنهار سِرّاً وَعَلاَنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ . . . ) .والذي يقرأ هذه الآيات الكريمة بتدبر وتعقل يراها قد حضت الناس على الإِنفاق في سبيل الله بأبلغ الأساليب ، وأحكم التوجيهات ، وأفضل الوسائل ، كما يراها بينت أحكام الصدقة وآدابها ، والآفات التي تذهب بخيرها وضربت الأمثال لذلك ، كما يراها قد بينت أنواعها ، وطريقة أدائها ، وأولى الناس بها ورسمت صورة كريمة للفقراء المتعففين ، وكما بدأت الآيات حديثها بالثناء الجميل على المنفقين فقد ختمته أيضاً بالثناء عليهم وبالعاقبة الحسنى التي أعدها الله لهم .ولو أن المسلمين أخذوا بتوجيهات هذه الآيات لعمتهم السعادة في دنياهم ، ولنالوا رضا الله ومثوبته في أخراهم .وبعد هذه الصورة المشرقة التي ساقها القرآن عن النفقة والمنفقين أتبعها بصورة مضادة لها وهي صورة الربا والمرابين . ومن مظاهر التضاد والتباين بين الصورتين أن الصدقة بذل للمال في وجوه الخير بدون عوض ينتظره المتصدق ، أما الربا فهو إخراج المال في وجوه الاستغلال لحاجة المتحاج مع ضمان استرداده ومعه زيادة محرمة . وأن الصدقة نتيجتها ارخاء والنماء والطهارة للمال ، وشيوع روحة المحبة والتعامل والتكامل والاطمئنان بين أفراد المجتمع ، أما الربا فنتيجته محق البركة من المال ، وشيوع روح التقاطع والتحاسد والتباغض والخوف بين الناس . ولقد نفر القرآن الناس من تعاطي الربا تنفيراً شديداً وحذرهم من سوء عاقبته تحذيراً مؤكداً فقال - تعالى - :( الذين يَأْكُلُونَ الربا لاَ يَقُومُونَ . . . )
القول في تأويل قوله تعالى : الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلانِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (274)[قال أبو جعفر]:..........................................................................................................................................................* * *6232 - حدثنا يعقوب بن إبراهيم، قال: حدثنا معتمر، عن أيمن بن نابل، قال: حدثني شيخ من غافق: أن أبا الدرداء كان ينظر إلى الخيل مربوطةً بين البرَاذين والهُجْن. فيقول: أهل هذه - يعني الخيل- من الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرًّا وعلانية، فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم، ولا خوفٌ عليهم ولا هُمْ يحزَنون. (45) .* * *وقال آخرون: عنى بذلك قومًا أنفقوا في سبيل الله في غير إسراف ولا تقتير.* ذكر من قال ذلك:6233 - حدثنا بشر، قال: حدثنا يزيد، قال: حدثنا سعيد، عن قتادة &; 5-602 &; قوله: " الذين ينفقون أموالهم " إلى قوله: " ولا هم يحزنون "، هؤلاء أهلُ الجنة.ذكر لنا أن نبيّ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول: المكثِرون هم الأسفلون. قالوا: يا نبيّ الله إلا مَنْ؟ قال: المكثرون هم الأسفلون، قالوا: يا نبيّ الله إلا مَنْ؟ قال: المكثرون هم الأسفلون. قالوا: يا نبيّ الله، إلا مَنْ؟ حتى خشوا أن تكون قد مَضَت فليس لها رَدّ، حتى قال: " إلا من قال بالمال هكذا وهكذا، عن يمينه وعن شماله، وهكذا بين يديه، وهكذا خلفه، وقليلٌ ما هُمْ [قال]: (46) هؤلاء قوم أنفقوا في سبيل الله التي افترض وارتضى، في غير سَرَف ولا إملاق ولا تَبذير ولا فَساد " (47) .* * *وقد قيل إنّ هذه الآيات من قوله: " إن تُبدوا الصدقات فنعمَّا هي" إلى قوله: " ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون "، كان مما يُعملَ به قبل نـزول ما في" سورة براءة " من تفصيل الزَّكوات، فلما نـزلت " براءة "، قُصِروا عليها.* ذكر من قال ذلك:6234 - حدثني محمد بن سعد، قال: ثني أبي، قال: ثني عمي، قال: ثني أبي، عن أبيه، عن ابن عباس: " إن تبدوا الصدقات فنعمَّا هي" إلى قوله: " ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون "، فكان هذا يُعمل به قبل أن تنـزل " براءة "، فلما نـزلت " براءة " بفرائض الصَّدقات وتفصيلها انتهت الصّدَقاتُ إليها.* * *---------------------------(45) الأثر : 6232 -"أيمن بن نابل الحبشي" أبو عمران المكي ، نزيل عسقلان ، مولي آل أبي بكر . روي عن قدامة بن عبدالله العامرى ، وعن أبيه نابل ، والقاسم بن محمد ، وطاوس . وروى عنه موسى بن عقبة ، وهو من أقرانه ، ومعتمر بن سليمان ، ووكيع وابن مهدي ، وعبدالرزاق ، وغيرهم . وهو ثقة ، وكان لا يفصح ، فيه لكنه . وعاش إلى خلافة المهدي . مترجم في التهذيب .والبراذين جمع برذون (بكسر الباء وسكون الراء وفتح الذال وسكون الواو) : وهو ما كان من الخيل من نتاج غير العراب ، وهو دون الفرس وأضعف منه . والهجن جمع هجين : وهو من الخيل الذي ولدته برذونة من حصان غير عربي ، وهي دون العرب أيضًا ، ليس من عتاق الخيل ، وكلاهما معيب عندهم .(46) ما بين القوسين ، زيادة لا بد منها ، فإن هذا الكلام الآتي ولا شك من كلام قتادة ، وكذلك خرجه السيوطي في الدر المنثور 1 : 363 قال : "وأخرج عبد بن حميد وابن جرير وابن المنذر عن قتادة . . . " ، وساق هذا الشطر الآتي من هذا الأثر . وأما صدره ، فهو خبر مرسل كسائر الأخبار السالفة .(47) قوله : "إملاق" هو من قولهم : "ملق الرجل ما معه ملقًا ، وأملقه إملاقًا" ، إذا أنفقه وأخرجه من يده ولم يحبسه وبذره تبذيرًا . والفقر تابع للإنفاق والتبذير ، فاستعملوا لفظ السبب في موضع المسبب ، فقالوا : "أملق الرجل إملاقًا" ، إذا افتقر فهو"مملق" أي فقير لا شيء معه .
( الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية ) روي عن مجاهد عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال : نزلت هذه الآية في علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه كانت عنده أربعة دراهم لا يملك غيرها فتصدق بدرهم ليلا وبدرهم نهارا وبدرهم سرا وبدرهم علانية .وعن الضحاك عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهم قال لما نزلت ( للفقراء الذين أحصروا في سبيل الله ) بعث عبد الرحمن بن عوف بدنانير كثيرة إلى أصحاب الصفة ، وبعث علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه في جوف الليل بوسق من تمر فأنزل الله تعالى فيهما ( الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار ) الآية عنى بالنهار علانية : صدقة عبد الرحمن بن عوف ، وبالليل سرا : صدقة علي رضي الله عنه وقال أبو أمامة وأبو الدرداء ومكحول والأوزاعي : نزلت في الذين يرتبطون الخيل للجهاد فإنها تعلف ليلا ونهارا سرا وعلانية . أخبرنا عبد الواحد بن أحمد المليحي ، أخبرنا أحمد بن عبد الله النعيمي ، أخبرنا محمد بن يوسف ، أخبرنا محمد بن إسماعيل ، أخبرنا علي بن حفص ، أخبرنا ابن المبارك ، أخبرنا طلحة بن أبي سعيد قال : سمعت سعيدا المقبري يحدث أنه سمع أبا هريرة رضي الله عنه يقول : قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : " من احتبس فرسا في سبيل الله إيمانا بالله وتصديقا بوعده فإن شبعه وريه وروثه وبوله في ميزانه يوم القيامة " .وقوله تعالى : ( فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم ) قال الأخفش : جعل الخبر بالفاء لأن " الذين " بمعنى " من " وجواب من بالفاء بالجزاء أو معنى الآية : من أنفق كذا فله أجره عند ربه ( ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون ) .
جملة مستأنفة تفيد تعميم أحوال فضائل الإنفاق بعد أن خُصّص الكلام بالإنفاق للفقراء الذين أحصروا في سبيل الله ، فاسم الموصول مبتدأ ، وجملة { فلهم أجرهم } خبر المبتدأ .وأَدخل الفاء في خبر الموصول للتنبيه على تسبّب استحقاق الأجر على الإنفاق لأنّ المبتدأ لما كان مشتملاً على صلة مقصود منها التعميم ، والتعليل ، والإيماء إلى علّة بناء الخبر على المبتدأ وهي ينفقون صَحّ إدخال الفاء في خبره كما تدخل في جواب الشرط؛ لأنّ أصل الفاء الدلالة على التسبّب وما أدخلت في جواب الشرط إلاّ لذلك . والسرّ : الخفاء . والعلانية : الجهر والظهور . وذكر عند ربّهم لتعظيم شأن الأجر .وقوله : { ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون } مقابل قوله : { وما للظالمين من أنصار } [ البقرة : 270 ] إذ هو تهديد لمانعِي الصدقات بإسلام الناس إياهم عند حلول المصائب بهم ، وهذا بشارة للمنفقين بطيب العيش في الدنيا فلا يخافون اعتداء المعتدين لأنّ الله أكسبهم محبة الناس إياهم ، ولا تحلّ بهم المصائب المحزنة إلاّ ما لا يسلم منه أحد ممّا هو معتاد في إبانه .أما انتفاء الخوف والحزن عنهم في الآخرة فقد علم من قوله : { فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم } .ورُفع خوف في نفي الجنس إذ لا يتوهم نفي الفرد لأنّ الخوف من المعاني التي هي أجناس محضة لا أفراد لها كما تقدّم في قوله تعالى : { لا بيع فيه ولا خلة } [ البقرة : 254 ] ، ومنه ما في حديث أم زرع : « لا حَرٌ ولا قرٌ ولا مَخَافَةٌ ولا سَآمَةٌ » .
ثم ذكر حالة المتصدقين في جميع الأوقات على جميع الأحوال فقال: { الذين ينفقون أموالهم في سبيل الله } أي: طاعته وطريق مرضاته، لا في المحرمات والمكروهات وشهوات أنفسهم { بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم } أي: أجر عظيم من خير عند الرب الرحيم { ولا خوف عليهم } إذا خاف المقصرون { ولا هم يحزنون } إذا حزن المفرطون، ففازوا بحصول المقصود المطلوب، ونجوا من الشرور والمرهوب، ولما كمل تعالى حالة المحسنين إلى عباده بأنواع النفقات ذكر حالة الظالمين المسيئين إليهم غاية الإساءة
قوله تعالى : الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون فيه مسألة واحدة روي عن ابن عباس وأبي ذر وأبي أمامة وأبي الدرداء وعبد الله بن بشر الغافقي والأوزاعي أنها نزلت في علف الخيل المربوطة في سبيل الله . وذكر ابن سعد في الطبقات قال : أخبرت عن محمد بن شعيب بن شابور قال : أنبأنا سعيد بن سنان عن يزيد بن عبد الله بن عريب عن أبيه عن جده عريب أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سئل عن قوله تعالى : الذين ينفقون أموالهم بالليل والنهار سرا وعلانية فلهم أجرهم عند ربهم ولا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون قال : [ ص: 316 ] ( هم أصحاب الخيل ) . وبهذا الإسناد قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : المنفق على الخيل كباسط يده بالصدقة لا يقبضها وأبوالها وأرواثها عند الله يوم القيامة كذكي المسك ) . وروي عن ابن عباس أنه قال : نزلت في علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه ، كانت معه أربعة دراهم فتصدق بدرهم ليلا وبدرهم نهارا وبدرهم سرا وبدرهم جهرا ، ذكره عبد الرزاق قال : أخبرنا عبد الوهاب بن مجاهد عن أبيه عن ابن عباس . ابن جريج : نزلت في رجل فعل ذلك ، ولم يسم عليا ولا غيره . وقال قتادة . هذه الآية نزلت في المنفقين من غير تبذير ولا تقتير . ومعنى ( بالليل والنهار ) في الليل والنهار ، ودخلت الفاء في قوله تعالى : ( فلهم ) لأن في الكلام معنى الجزاء . وقد تقدم . ولا يجوز زيد فمنطلق .
The greatest way to spend money for the cause of God is to extend monetary help to those of God’s servants who have devoted themselves wholly to the cause of His religion, thus leaving themselves no time to earn for their personal needs. Just as a successful businessman has little free time for anything except his business, similarly one who serves the cause of religion full time has no time to work to make money for himself. Furthermore, each job shapes in a particular way the thinking of the person involved. One who involves himself in business develops the relevant skills, so that he is able to easily understand the complexities of commerce. But that same person will not be able to understand the nuances of religion’s cause. Similarly, a religious worker will not be able to successfully run a business, for he cannot concentrate on business matters due to his attention being diverted elsewhere. However, a society needs both kinds of activities. The solution to this problem is for those who possess monetary resources to arrange a share for those who, because of their religious commitments, are unable to provide for their own economic needs. This is like a tacit division of labour, which takes place between the two groups purely in order to earn God’s pleasure. The missionary, having devoted himself to God, does not ask anything from others, nor does he expect anything from them. On the other hand, those who are monetarily strong, knowing that they have amassed wealth through not devoting themselves to the cause of religion (which they should have done), think that they should, by way of compensation, give a share of their wealth to their brothers in faith. Spending for a peaceful religious struggle which brings no fame or laurels makes one all the more deserving of God’s blessings. For such spending is only to seek God’s pleasure.
(8). Verse 274: الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ "Those who spend their
wealth night and day."
Presented in this verse is the great reward and excellence of those who are used to spending in the way of Allah. They are those who, under all conditions and circumstances, during the day and during the night, secretly and openly, keep spending in the way of Allah in all sorts of ways. By implication, it was also stated that there is no time fixed for charities, i.e., sadaqah صدقہ and khayrat خیرات . There is no restriction of night or day. Similarly, spending in the way of Allah, secretly and openly, is an act of thawab ثواب both ways, however, the condition is that it should be done with sincerity (ikhlas اخلاص ), and not to earn name and fame. The excellence of spending secretly is limited to a situation where there be no pressing need to spend out openly; and where such a need does exist, spending there openly is certainly better.
Based on the authority of Ibn ` Asakir, there is a report in Ruh al-Ma` ani which says that Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ spent forty thousand dinars in the way of Allah - making it ten thousand during the day, ten thousand during the night, ten thousand openly and ten thousand secretly. Some commentators have said that this very event related to Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ was the background of the revelation of this verse. There are other views also regarding the circumstances of its revelation.
(Those who spend their wealth) in charity (by night and day, in secret and openly, surely their reward is with their Lord) in Paradise, (and there shall no fear come upon them) perpetually (neither shall they grieve) when others do. This verse was revealed about 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
Giving Charity to Polytheists
Abu `Abdur-Rahman An-Nasa'i recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that they, "Disliked giving charity to their polytheist relatives, but were later on allowed to give it to them when they inquired about this matter, and this Ayah was revealed,
لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلاًّنفُسِكُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
(Not upon you (Muhammad ) is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Face. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.)
Allah's statement,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلاًّنفُسِكُمْ
(And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves) is similar to His other statement,
مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَـلِحاً فَلِنَفْسِهِ
(Whosoever does righteous good deed, it is for (the benefit of) his ownself.)
There are many other similar Ayat in the Qur'an.
Allah said next,
وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ
(When you spend not except seeking Allah's Face. )
Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented, "Whenever the believer spends, including what he spends on himself, he seeks Allah's Face with it." `Ata' Al-Khurasani said that the Ayah means, "You give away charity for the sake of Allah. Therefore, you will not be asked about the deeds or wickedness of those who receive it." This is a sound meaning indicating that when one spends in charity for Allah's sake, then his reward will be with Allah. He will not be asked if the charity unintentionally reached righteous, evil, deserving or undeserving persons, for he will be rewarded for his good intention. The proof to this statement is the Ayah,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
(And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.)
The Two Sahihs recorded a Hadith by Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«قَالَ رَجُلٌ: لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ زَانِيَةٍ، فَأَصْبَحَ النَّاسُ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرَجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ غَنِيَ، فَأَصْبَحُوا يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَى غَنِيَ، قَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى غَنِيَ، لَأَتَصَدَّقَنَّ اللَّيْلَةَ بِصَدَقَةٍ، فَخَرَجَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي يَدِ سَارِقٍ، فَأَصْبَحُوا يَتَحَدَّثُونَ: تُصُدِّقَ اللَّيْلَةَ عَلَى سَارِقٍ، فَقَالَ:اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى زَانِيَةٍ، وَعَلَى غَنِيَ، وَعَلَى سَارِقٍ. فَأُتِيَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ: أَمَّا صَدَقَتُكَ فَقَدْ قُبِلَتْ، وَأَمَّا الزَّانِيَةُ فَلَعَلَّهَا أَنْ تَسْتَعِفَّ بِهَا عَنْ زِنَاهَا، وَلَعَلَّ الْغَنِيَّ يَعْتَبِرُ فَيُنْفِقُ مِمَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللهُ، وَلَعَلَّ السَّارِقَ أَنْ يَسْتَعِفَّ بِهَا عَنْ سَرِقَتِه»
(A man said, "Tonight, I shall give charity." He went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to an adulteress. The next morning the people said that alms were given to an adulteress. The man said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I gave my alms) to an adulteress. Tonight, I shall give alms again." He went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to a rich person. The next morning (the people) said, "Last night, a wealthy person was given alms." He said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I gave alms) to a wealthy man. Tonight, I shall again give charity." So he went out with his charity and (unknowingly) gave it to a thief. The next morning (the people) said, "Last night, a thief was given alms." He said, "O Allah! All the praises are for You. (I have given alms) to an adulteress, a wealthy man and a thief." Then, someone came to him and said, "The alms that you gave away were accepted. As for the adulteress, the alms might make her abstain from adultery. As for the wealthy man, it might make him take a lesson and spend his wealth that Allah has given him. As for the thief, it might make him abstain from stealing.")
Who Deserves Charity
Allah said,
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ الَّذِينَ أُحصِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
((Charity is) for the poor, who in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel)) meaning, the migrants who migrated to Allah and His Messenger, resided in Al-Madinah and did not have resources that sufficiently provided them with their needs,
لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِى الاٌّرْضِ
(And cannot Darban (move about) in the land) meaning, "They cannot travel in the land to seek means of livelihood." Allah said in other instances using a variation of the word Darban
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُواْ مِنَ الصَّلوةِ
(And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten the Salah (the prayer)) 4:101, and,
أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُمْ مَّرْضَى وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَـتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَاقْرَءُواْ
(He knows that there will be some among you sick, others traveling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty, yet others fighting in Allah's cause) 73:20.
Allah then said,
يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ
(The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty) meaning, those who do not know their situation think that they are well-off, because they are modest in their clothes and speech. There is a Hadith with this meaning that the Two Sahihs recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي تَرُدُّهُ التَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ، وَاللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ، وَالْأُكْلَةُ وَالْأُكْلَتَانِ، وَلكِنِ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي لَا يَجِدُ غِنىً يُغْنِيهِ، وَلَا يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ، وَلَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا»
(The Miskin (needy) is not he who wanders about and whose need is sufficed by a date or two, a bite or two or a meal or two. Rather, the Miskin is he who neither has enough resources to sustain him, all the while people are unaware of his need so they do not give to him, nor does he ask people for anything.)
Imam Ahmad also recorded this Hadith from Ibn Mas`ud.
Allah's statement,
تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَـهُمْ
(You may know them by their mark) means, "Those who have good minds discover their situation," just as Allah said in other instances,
سِيمَـهُمْ فِى وُجُوهِهِمْ
(The mark of them (i.e. of their faith) is on their faces) 48:29, and,
وَلَتَعْرِفَنَّهُمْ فِى لَحْنِ الْقَوْلِ
(But surely, you will know them by the tone of their speech!) 47:30. Allah's statement,
لاَ يَسْـَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا
(they do not beg of people at all) means, they do not beg and, thus, do not require people to provide them with more than what they actually need. Indeed, those who ask people for help, while having what suffices for their needs, have begged.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`id said, "My mother sent me to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to ask him for help, but when I came by him I sat down. The Prophet faced me and said to me,
«مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللهُ، وَمَنِ اسْتَعَفَّ أَعَفَّهُ اللهُ، وَمَنِ اسْتَكَفَّ كَفَاهُ اللهُ، وَمَنْ سَأَلَ وَلَهُ قِيمَةُ أُوقِيَّةٍ فَقَدْ أَلْحَف»
(Whoever felt satisfied, then Allah will enrich him. Whoever is modest, Allah will make him decent. Whoever is content, then Allah will suffice for him. Whoever asks people, while having a small amout, he will have begged the people.)
Abu Sa`id said, "I said to myself, `I have a camel, Al-Yaqutah, and indeed, it is worth more than a small amount.' And I went back without asking the Prophet for anything." This is the same wording for this Hadith collected by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i.
Allah's statement,
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
(And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well) indicates that no charity escapes Him, and He will reward it fully and perfectly on the Day of Resurrection, when it is most desperately needed.
Praise for those who Spend in Charity
Allah said,
الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَلَهُمْ بِالَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلاَنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُم عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.)
This Ayah praises those who spend in charity for Allah's sake, seeking His pleasure, day and night, publicly and in secret, including what one spends on his family. The Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas:
«وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِي بِهَا وَجْهَ اللهِ إِلَّا ازْدَدْتَ بِهَا دَرَجَةً وَرِفْعَةً، حَتَّى مَا تَجْعَلُ فِي فِي امْرَأَتِك»
(You will not spend charity with which you seek Allah's Face, but you will ascend a higher degree and status because of it, including what you put in your wife's mouth.)
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Mas`ud said that the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَ إِذَا أَنْفَقَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ نَفَقَةً يَحْتَسِبُهَا، كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَة»
(When the Muslim spends on his family while awaiting the reward for it from Allah, it will be written as charity for him.)
Al-Bukhari and Muslim also recorded this Hadith.
Allah said,
فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ
(shall have their reward with their Lord), on the Day of Resurrection, as reward for what they spent in acts of obedience. We previously explained the Ayah,
فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
(there shall be no fear on them nor shall they grieve.)
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve. As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say: Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away! Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
Those who expend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, shall have their wage with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they grieve.As long as they have any wealth, they do not slacken from expending it for an hour, night and day. When the wealth is exhausted, they do not slacken from witnessing Him for a moment, night and day.24 This is as they say:Wealth, gold, things-gamble them away for nothing. When the work reaches your spirit, gamble it away!Spending wealth in the road of the religion according to the Shariah is the work of the faithful, and throwing away the spirit in the contemplation of the majesty and beauty of the Patron in respect of the Haqiqah is the work of the chevaliers. This is the effort of servanthood by the servants. What then is worthy of God and the divine generosity toward the servants?!
The greatest way to spend money for the cause of God is to extend monetary help to those of God’s servants who have devoted themselves wholly to the cause of His religion, thus leaving themselves no time to earn for their personal needs. Just as a successful businessman has little free time for anything except his business, similarly one who serves the cause of religion full time has no time to work to make money for himself. Furthermore, each job shapes in a particular way the thinking of the person involved. One who involves himself in business develops the relevant skills, so that he is able to easily understand the complexities of commerce. But that same person will not be able to understand the nuances of religion’s cause. Similarly, a religious worker will not be able to successfully run a business, for he cannot concentrate on business matters due to his attention being diverted elsewhere. However, a society needs both kinds of activities. The solution to this problem is for those who possess monetary resources to arrange a share for those who, because of their religious commitments, are unable to provide for their own economic needs. This is like a tacit division of labour, which takes place between the two groups purely in order to earn God’s pleasure. The missionary, having devoted himself to God, does not ask anything from others, nor does he expect anything from them. On the other hand, those who are monetarily strong, knowing that they have amassed wealth through not devoting themselves to the cause of religion (which they should have done), think that they should, by way of compensation, give a share of their wealth to their brothers in faith. Spending for a peaceful religious struggle which brings no fame or laurels makes one all the more deserving of God’s blessings. For such spending is only to seek God’s pleasure.
(8). Verse 274: الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ "Those who spend their
wealth night and day."
Presented in this verse is the great reward and excellence of those who are used to spending in the way of Allah. They are those who, under all conditions and circumstances, during the day and during the night, secretly and openly, keep spending in the way of Allah in all sorts of ways. By implication, it was also stated that there is no time fixed for charities, i.e., sadaqah صدقہ and khayrat خیرات . There is no restriction of night or day. Similarly, spending in the way of Allah, secretly and openly, is an act of thawab ثواب both ways, however, the condition is that it should be done with sincerity (ikhlas اخلاص ), and not to earn name and fame. The excellence of spending secretly is limited to a situation where there be no pressing need to spend out openly; and where such a need does exist, spending there openly is certainly better.
Based on the authority of Ibn ` Asakir, there is a report in Ruh al-Ma` ani which says that Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ spent forty thousand dinars in the way of Allah - making it ten thousand during the day, ten thousand during the night, ten thousand openly and ten thousand secretly. Some commentators have said that this very event related to Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ was the background of the revelation of this verse. There are other views also regarding the circumstances of its revelation.
(Those who spend their wealth) in charity (by night and day, in secret and openly, surely their reward is with their Lord) in Paradise, (and there shall no fear come upon them) perpetually (neither shall they grieve) when others do. This verse was revealed about 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib.