ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّا وَلَآ أَذًى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 262
Translations
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
Transliteration
Al-ladhīna yunfiqūna amwālahum fī sabīli-llāhi thumma lā yutbi'ūna mā anfaqū mannan wa-lā adhā; lahum ajruhum 'inda rabbihim wa-lā khawfun 'alayhim wa-lā hum yahzanūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah without following their charitable deeds with reminders of their generosity (mann) or harm (adhā), and assures them that their reward is with Allah, free from fear or sorrow. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the prohibition of mann (boasting) and adhā (causing hurt through reminders of one's generosity) are essential conditions for charity to be accepted, as they negate the spiritual purity and sincerity required. Al-Qurtubi notes that this ayah establishes the principle that true charity is done for Allah's pleasure alone, not for worldly recognition or to make the recipient feel obligated.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion on charity and spending (sadaqah), revealed in Medina after the establishment of the Muslim community. It addresses believers directly about the etiquette and conditions of charitable giving, responding to the real social dynamics of the early Muslim community where class distinctions and wealth disparities required ethical guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives, and the worst is that followed by harm to the recipient.' (Tirmidhi) Additionally, 'Whoever gives charity and then reminds [the recipient] of it or harms them, their charity is nullified.' (Ibn Majah)
Themes
Key Lesson
True charity lies not merely in the act of giving, but in the purity of intention and respect shown to the recipient—avoiding any words or actions that diminish their dignity or burden them with obligation. Modern believers should reflect on whether their charitable acts are motivated by divine pleasure or by social recognition, and ensure their generosity strengthens rather than strains relationships.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلْكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَـٰرُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is assurance from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers."
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوا۟ مِنَّا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ حَسَرَٰتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَمَا هُم بِخَـٰرِجِينَ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who followed will say, "If only we had another turn [at worldly life] so we could disassociate ourselves from them as they have disassociated themselves from us." Thus will Allāh show them their deeds as regrets upon them. And they are never to emerge from the Fire.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَـٰرَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُهْتَدِينَ
Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.