ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلْكَـٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 134
Translations
Who spend [in the cause of Allāh] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allāh loves the doers of good;
Transliteration
Alladhīna yunfiqūna fī as-sarrā'i wa-ad-darrā'i wa-al-kāẓimīna al-ghayẓa wa-al-'āfīna 'an an-nāsi wa-Allāhu yuḥibbu al-muḥsinīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristics of the righteous (al-muttaqīn) who spend their wealth in both prosperity and adversity, restrain their anger when wronged, and forgive others. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these verses outline the comprehensive virtues of piety: financial generosity regardless of circumstances, emotional discipline, and moral magnanimity. Allah affirms His love for those who practice these virtues (al-muḥsinīn), emphasizing that true piety manifests through both actions and character.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ali 'Imran (Chapter 3), a Medinan surah revealed after the Battle of Uhud. The surrounding verses (3:133-135) describe the characteristics of the pious (al-muttaqīn) who will inherit Paradise, providing moral guidance to the Muslim community during a period of consolidation and spiritual development in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong person is the one who controls himself while in anger' (Sahih Bukhari 6114). Additionally, 'Whoever restrains his anger when he has the ability to act upon it, Allah will call him on the Day of Resurrection before all creation' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4186).
Themes
Key Lesson
True righteousness requires consistent generosity regardless of one's financial situation, and inner strength manifested through controlling anger and extending forgiveness—qualities that demonstrate genuine love for Allah and His creation. These virtues transform the individual spiritually and socially, earning them Allah's love and Paradise as their ultimate reward.