وَلَا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ 6
Translations
And do not confer favor to acquire more.
Transliteration
Wa lā tamnan tastakthir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) not to give with the intention of expecting return or to count his favors upon others as a means of seeking increase in worldly gain. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this instruction prohibits the spiritual disease of expecting gratitude or recompense from people for acts of charity or kindness, which corrupts the intention and negates the reward. The ayah emphasizes that true giving should be done solely for the pleasure of Allah without seeking recognition or material benefit in return.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Muddaththir, which addresses the early responsibilities of the Prophet Muhammad after receiving his initial revelation. The surah's context involves moral and spiritual refinement of the Prophet's conduct, and this particular ayah falls within a series of instructions about how to conduct oneself in giving and charitable acts with pure intentions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of charity is that given when one is in need yet gives.' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim emphasizes: 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' which complements the spirit of giving without expectation of return.
Themes
Key Lesson
True charity and kindness must be free from the desire for recognition, gratitude, or material return—our giving should be motivated solely by obedience to Allah and compassion for others. This teaches us to examine our intentions in acts of generosity and to guard against the spiritual disease of reminding others of our favors toward them.