وَلَا يُنفِقُونَ نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً وَلَا كَبِيرَةً وَلَا يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ 121
Translations
Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allāh may reward them for the best of what they were doing.
Transliteration
Wa lā yunfiqūn nafaqah saghīrah wa lā kabīrah wa lā yaqṭaʿūn wādiyā illā kutiba lahum li yajziyahum Allāhu aḥsan mā kānū yaʿmalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that every expenditure made in the path of Allah—whether small or large—and every hardship endured (symbolized by crossing valleys) is recorded by Allah and will be rewarded with the best recompense. Ibn Kathir notes this verse highlights Allah's perfect knowledge and justice, assuring believers that no effort goes unnoticed, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes this as encouragement for consistent giving and striving regardless of the amount, as Allah judges by sincerity rather than quantity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah At-Tawbah's discussion of the believers who participated in the Tabūk expedition and those who made sacrifices for the cause of Islam. The broader surah addresses repentance, the characteristics of true believers, and Allah's rewards for those who strive in His path during the later Medinan period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: 'The best of charity is that given when one is in need yet gives,' and 'Every action is by intention' (Sahih Bukhari 1 and 54), reinforcing that sincere efforts, whether monetary or physical, are rewarded by Allah according to intention and effort.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that their contributions—no matter how modest they may seem—are valuable in Allah's sight when made with sincere intention, offering profound comfort that consistency and effort in obedience to Allah never go unappreciated or unrewarded.