ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱلْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ 268
Translations
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allāh promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Ash-shaytānu ya'idukumu al-faqra wa ya'murukum bil-fahshā'i; wa-Allāhu ya'idukum maghfiratan minhu wa-fadlā; wa-Allāhu wāsi'un 'alīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a stark contrast between the promises of Satan and the promises of Allah. Satan tempts people with fear of poverty and commands them toward shameful deeds (fahsha), while Allah promises forgiveness and abundant bounty (fadl) from His infinite mercy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that Satan's promises are mere illusions meant to discourage charitable giving and righteous conduct, whereas Allah's promises are guaranteed and rooted in His infinite knowledge and vastness.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of spending in the way of Allah and charitable giving (verses 261-274). The broader context addresses the reluctance of some believers to spend their wealth in charity due to fear of poverty, which Satan exploits to discourage them from righteous deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46). Additionally, the hadith 'No one becomes poor because of charity' (recorded in various forms in Islamic tradition) aligns with the theme of Allah's promise of bounty despite giving.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that fear of poverty used to discourage charitable giving is a satanic whisper, not reality, and should trust in Allah's infinite provision and wisdom. True prosperity comes not from hoarding wealth but from spending it righteously, knowing that Allah is All-Knowing and All-Encompassing in His bounty.