وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 280
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa-in kana dhu 'usratin fa-nadharun ila maysarah, wa-an tasdaqqū khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the case of a debtor experiencing financial hardship, commanding creditors to grant respite until the debtor regains financial ability (ease). Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that granting such delay is obligatory as an act of justice and compassion. The ayah further encourages voluntary forgiveness of the debt as an even greater good, contingent upon understanding this wisdom—reflecting Islam's emphasis on mercy over mere legal enforcement of debts.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the passage on lending and usury (riba) in Surah Al-Baqarah, specifically addressing the ethical treatment of debtors facing hardship. It was revealed in Madinah during the consolidation of Islamic law regarding financial transactions, emphasizing that Islamic commerce must be tempered with mercy and social responsibility toward the vulnerable.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever gives respite to one in difficulty, or remits his debt, Allah will shade him on the Day of Judgment' (reported in various collections with similar wording). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' relates contextually to financial kindness toward dependents and creditors showing similar mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true Islamic economics balances contractual obligations with humanitarian compassion; believers are reminded that forgiving debts or granting respite to those in hardship is not merely permissible but spiritually superior, reflecting the Islamic principle that mercy and justice must walk hand in hand in all dealings.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى ٱللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْكُمُ ٱلصَّـٰعِقَةُ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we will never believe you until we see Allāh outright"; so the thunderbolt took you while you were looking on.
فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ۖ فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allāh has ordained for you. Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."