وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 195
Translations
And spend in the way of Allāh and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allāh loves the doers of good.
Transliteration
Wa-anfiqoo fee sabeelis-Allahi wa laa tulqoo bi-aydeekum ila-at-tahlukah wa-ahsinoo inna-Allaha yuhibbu-al-muhsineen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to spend their wealth in the way of Allah while warning against self-destruction through stinginess or recklessness, and emphasizes doing good deeds with excellence. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'throwing oneself into destruction' (al-tahlukah) refers to withholding wealth from righteous causes, which leads to spiritual ruin, while the command to 'do good' (ihsan) encompasses all aspects of spending and action with sincerity and perfection. The ayah balances financial obligation with wisdom, encouraging neither excessive waste nor miserly hoarding in the path of Allah.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the Medinan period within the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of obligations toward faith and community. This ayah appears in the section addressing charity and financial responsibility, likely in the early-to-mid Medinan period when the Muslim community was establishing financial norms and principles of mutual support.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (related to themes of spending despite difficulty). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari: 'The best charity is that which is given when one is in straitened circumstances,' emphasizing the virtue of spending in Allah's way.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should balance generosity with wisdom—neither hoarding wealth selfishly nor spending recklessly—recognizing that investing in Allah's cause is an investment in one's own spiritual well-being, not a loss. The pursuit of excellence (ihsan) in all our actions, including charitable giving, is fundamental to pleasing Allah and building a just community.
Related Ayahs
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers good [i.e., excess] - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.
وَقُلْنَا يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And We said, "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers."