Who Deserves Alms

LESSON # 315 FROM HOLY  QUR’AN

Who Deserves Alms

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –273   of  286, Section –37  (Part - 3)

(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the Cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade); the unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their abstaining (from begging). Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah Knoweth it.

Lil-fuqaraaa- ‘illaziina  ‘uh-siruu  fii  Sabii-lillaahi  laa  yas-tatii- ‘uuna  zarban-  fil- ‘arzi  yah-sabuhumul-jaahilu  ‘agniyaaa- ‘a  minat-ta- ‘affuf.  Ta’-rifuhum- bi-siimaa-hum.  Laa  yas- ‘aluu-nannaasa- ‘il-haafaa.  Wa  maa  tunfiquu  min  khay-rin- fa- ‘innallaaha  bihii  ‘Aliim.

Lesson

‘uh-siruu – (who are straitened), here is much room in this word, that is to say; to be surrounded, wishing, either it is with regard to the time or in consideration of body. Purports are those persons, who are besieged in any deed of religion, and now they cannot earn daily food or allowance, as religious warriors. Some Interpreters have inferred those persons who are engaged in the religious teachings, and are attached as in acquiring science and knowledge that they cannot arrange for employment.

‘agniyaaa- ‘a – (wealthy, rich), this word has been composed from the word ‘ganaaa’ and its single is ganii, namely; that person who has not wealth more than his need.

It has been indicated in this verse that real worthy of the alms and charity, are those people, who have been hindered from moving, eating and earning due to being closed in the Path of Allah Almighty. Moreover, they do not disclose their necessities before any person, as lovers (Razii Allahu anhum) of the last Messenger (Muhammad) (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him), for example; companions of (‘As-haabi) Suffah (Razii Allahu anhum) had chosen company of The Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him). They carried on learning the teachings of religion. Like this, some companions (Razii Allahu anhum) were busy in Muhammadan religious war against mischief-makers and seditious persons. These pious servants (Razii Allahu anhum) did not use to beg from anyone. However, their necessities might be known from their appearance and features. We should help them today too, who are learning the teachings of the religion Islam and busy in religious war in the Path of Allah Almighty, and supply their wants.                

Allah Almighty promises that ‘you will get complete reward for that wealth, which will you spend in My Way. No sacrifice of yours is hidden from My Sight’. Here also Allah Almighty has explained the word ‘Khayr’ for ‘wealth’ and determined those persons, who deserve particularly Kind Sight, who do not pursue unremittingly duly sticking, on the contrary they endure with self-respect and do not disclose their poorness.

 Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)