وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 10
Translations
And spend [in the way of Allāh] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be of the righteous."
Transliteration
Wa-anfiqū min mā razaqnākum min qabli an ya'tiya aḥadakumu al-mawtu fayaqūlu rabbi lawlā akhkhartanī ilā ajalin qarībin fa-aṣṣaddaqu wa-akun mina al-ṣāliḥīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to spend from the provision Allah has granted them before death arrives, at which point regret becomes useless. The person facing death will wish they had been given more time to repent and perform righteous deeds, but such pleas are rejected. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this serves as a stern warning against procrastination in obedience and charity, highlighting the reality of death's inevitability and the urgency of good deeds.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Munafiqun addresses the hypocrisy prevalent in Madinah during the Prophet's time. This particular ayah appears in the context of exposing the characteristics of hypocrites who delay repentance and good works. It serves as a general reminder to all believers, not just hypocrites, about the finality of death and the importance of timely action.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim (2955): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Hasten to good deeds before trials occur like patches of dark night.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah: The Prophet warned that between a person and Paradise or Hell is only death, and encouraged seizing opportunities while alive.
Themes
Key Lesson
Death is a reality that can come unexpectedly, making it essential to act upon good intentions immediately rather than postponing acts of worship and charity. This ayah reminds us that regret at the point of death cannot change our fate, so we must seize the present opportunity to give generously and perform righteous deeds.