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
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allāh on the earth or in the heaven.
جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرَارُ
[It is] Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the settlement.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أَنْ أَخْرِجْ قَوْمَكَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَذَكِّرْهُم بِأَيَّىٰمِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allāh." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلْأَرْضُ غَيْرَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ ۖ وَبَرَزُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ
[It will be] on the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and they [i.e., all creatures] will come out before Allāh, the One, the Prevailing,