Don’t Destroy Your Alms

LESSON # 307 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Don’t Destroy Your Alms

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse – 263 & 264a of  286, Section –36  (Part - 3)

263.  A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. And Allah is Absolute, Clement. 264a.  O  ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury,

263.  Qawlum-ma’-ruufunw-wa  magfiratun  khayrum-min-sada-qatiny-yatba- ‘uhaaa  ‘azaa.  Wallaahu  Ganiy—yun-  Haliim.  264a.  Yaaa- ‘ayyu-hallaziina  ‘aa-manuu  laa  tub-tiluu  sadaqaati-kum-  bil-manni  wal- ‘azaa,

Lesson

Qawlum-ma’-ruufun – (a kind word), Qawl means conversation and answer, and ma’-ruuf means according to customs. It aims ‘soft and sweet talk’.

Meaning of this sentence is, “if something can not be given to someone as alms and charity, then it is better to behave and talk softly than vexing him.  

Magfiratun – (with forgiveness), its purpose is that if the needy person (beggar) begs again and again, asks for alms harshly or with un-civilized manner and way of his begging seems heavy on nature, then it is better to ignore instead of trouble him.  

‘azaa – (injury, illness, trouble), in the meaning of this word to give each type of trouble, disgrace, inconvenience, discomfort and bother are included.  

Manni – (to show own kindness and favor after almsgiving), reproach, to tell somebody off own kindness, to find fault with someone due to favor done for him.

Islam has determined very great goodness to the good behavior and almsgiving, and doing so, spending the wealth for needy persons counts as spending for the Cause of God Almighty. It was mention in its previous verse that the reward for spending one penny in Allah’s Way increases up to seven hundred manifold or more. Here another aspect of this matter has illuminated.

Allah Almighty commanded that if you cannot give something to the needy/beggar, treat him with soft conversation and excuse. It is not lawful to threaten or rebuke him. Secondly, if you show your kindness or reproach after giving alms to the needy person, entire will be wasted. You will get no reward.

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)