وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ 110
Translations
And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. Indeed Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
Transliteration
Wa-aqīmū as-salāta wa-ātū az-zakāta wa-mā tuqaddimū li-anfusikum min khayrin tajidūhu 'inda Allāh; inna Allāha bimā ta'malūn basīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the establishment of prayer and payment of zakat (alms), emphasizing that any good deeds performed are ultimately for one's own benefit in the Hereafter, not for Allah's benefit. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase 'whatever good you send forward for yourselves' refers to righteous deeds accumulated for the Day of Judgment, which will be found as treasures in Allah's presence. The concluding statement 'Indeed, Allah is Seeing of what you do' serves as both a reminder of divine accountability and an encouragement that no deed goes unnoticed or unrewarded by Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the early Medinan section of Surah Al-Baqarah, addressing the Muslim community as it was being established in Madinah. It comes within a passage that outlines fundamental Islamic obligations and beliefs, reinforcing the practical pillars of faith (salah and zakat) while encouraging sincere devotion by reminding believers that their good deeds ultimately benefit their own souls.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), relating to the personal benefit of good deeds. Also relevant is: 'Charity does not decrease wealth' (Sahih Muslim 2588), emphasizing that zakat and charitable giving ultimately benefit the giver.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should understand that obedience to Allah through prayer and charity is not a burden imposed externally, but rather an investment in one's own eternal future, undertaken with the conscious awareness that Allah witnesses all actions. This perspective transforms religious obligation into purposeful spiritual development motivated by hope for reward rather than mere duty.