قُل لِّعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خِلَـٰلٌ 31
Translations
[O Muḥammad], tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange [i.e., ransom], nor any friendships.
Transliteration
Qul li-'ibadi alladhina amanu yaqimu as-salata wa yunfiqu mimma razaqnahum sirran wa 'alananiyyatan min qabli an ya'tiya yawmun la bay'a fihi wa la khilal
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet to instruct the believers to establish prayer and spend from their provisions—both secretly and openly—before the arrival of the Day of Judgment when neither buying nor selling (commerce) nor friendship will be of benefit. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes the urgency of righteous deeds while time remains, as the afterlife admits no opportunity for compensation or worldly transactions. Al-Qurtubi notes that 'khilal' (friendship/companionship) refers to intercession or mutual help, neither of which will avail on that Day.
Revelation Context
Surah Ibrahim is a Meccan chapter revealed during a period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This ayah contextually follows reminders of divine blessings and precedes warnings about disbelief, fitting the surah's theme of exhorting believers toward steadfastness and obedience. The emphasis on urgency reflects the Meccan period's call to spiritual preparation amid worldly trials.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet still gives' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing preparedness for the Day of Judgment through righteous conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that wealth and relationships offer no refuge on the Day of Judgment; therefore, one must invest in spiritual capital through prayer and charitable giving today. The emphasis on both hidden and public charity reminds us that sincerity before Allah is paramount, while visible good also serves as a model and encouragement to others.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ
Allāh, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And woe [i.e., destruction] to the disbelievers from a severe punishment -
وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَىٰنَا سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاذَيْتُمُونَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And why should we not rely upon Allāh while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allāh let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Have you not considered how Allāh presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلَهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ
So never think that Allāh will fail in His promise to His messengers. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.