The Righteous and Money

Alms are meant for the poor, the needy, those who administer them, those whose hearts need reassurance, freeing captives, aiding the indebted, supporting Allah’s cause, and assisting stranded travellers. This is a duty ordained by Allah.

True righteousness is in one who gives wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers, and those who ask for help, and for freeing slaves.

The one who gives his wealth to purify himself

Seeking nothing in return

O believers, do not ruin your charity with reminders or hurtful words, like one who spends only to be seen by people and does not truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like a rock covered with dust; when rain falls, it washes it away, leaving nothing behind.

But those who give seeking Allah’s pleasure and with firm faith, their example is like a garden on a fertile hill. When rain falls, it yields double, and even if no rain falls, it still produces.

Would any of you wish to have a lush garden of palm trees and vines, with rivers flowing beneath, only to be struck by old age and weakness, and then a fiery wind destroys it?

Whatever you spend or vow, Allah knows it well. But the wrongdoers will have no helpers.

Giving charity openly is good, but giving to the needy in private is even better; it absolves you of your sins.

Whatever you give in charity benefits your own soul, as long as you do so seeking Allah’s pleasure. Whatever you donate will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.

Nor do they spend anything, small or great, or cross any valley, without it being recorded for them, so that Allah may reward them for their best deeds.

Those who give in charity and do not follow it with reminders or harm will have their reward with their Lord, no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve.

Those who respond to their Lord, establish prayer, and conduct their affairs through mutual consultation, spending from what We have provided them.

Give from what We have provided them.

Those who give in both ease and hardship, who restrain their anger, and who forgive others.

They ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘Whatever you give should be for parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers.

Give orphans their wealth and do not substitute the good with the bad. Do not consume their property by mixing it with your own; this is a grave sin.

Do not entrust the immature with your wealth, which Allah has made a means of sustenance. Provide for them, clothe them, and speak to them with kindness.

Those who, when they spend, are neither wasteful nor stingy, but take a balanced approach.

Listen, obey, and give for your own good. Whoever is protected from the stinginess of their soul, it is they who will succeed.

Spend in the cause of Allah, but do not let your own hands lead to destruction. Do good.

Spend from what He has entrusted to you. Those who believe and give will have a great reward.

Give from what We have provided them.

O believers, give from the good things you have earned and from what We have produced for you from the earth. Do not choose the inferior portions for charity, things you would not accept yourselves except with reluctance.

But among the desert Arabs are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and consider what they spend as a means of nearness to Allah and the Messenger’s prayers. Indeed, it brings them closer, Allah will admit them into His mercy.

The desert Arabs who stayed behind will say, “Our wealth and families kept us busy, so ask forgiveness for us.” They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: Who can protect you from Allah if He intends harm or benefit for you?

No, you thought the Messenger and the believers would never return to their families, and that thought pleased your hearts. You harboured evil assumptions, and you were a ruined people.

And when they’re told, “Give from what Allah has provided you,” the disbelievers say to the believers, “Should we feed those whom Allah could have fed if He wanted? You’re clearly misguided.”

You will never attain righteousness until you give freely from what you love. Whatever you give, Allah knows it well.

Who will offer Allah a good loan, that He may multiply it for them, and grant them a generous reward?

Those who give in charity, whether openly or in secret, will receive a multiplied reward.

The example of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s cause is like a seed that sprouts seven ears, each bearing a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whomever He wills.

What you give in interest to increase your wealth does not increase with Allah. But what you give in charity, seeking His pleasure, that will multiply.

Who will lend to Allah a good loan, which He will multiply many times over? Allah withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will return., 64,17

Charity is for those who are devoted to Allah’s cause and unable to earn a living. The unaware may think they are self-sufficient because they do not beg, but you can recognize them by their humility. They do not persistently ask people for help.

Allah blesses charity.

Let not those of wealth and means among you swear never to help their relatives, the needy, and those who migrated for Allah’s sake. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you?

If a debtor is in hardship, grant them time until they can repay with ease. But if you forgive the debt as charity, it is better for you, if only you knew.

Some criticize you regarding charity. If they receive a share, they are pleased, but if they do not, they become resentful.

Those who mock the believers who give charity, whether little or much, Allah will mock them in return.

Others have confessed their sins; they mixed righteous deeds with wrongdoing. Perhaps Allah will turn to them in mercy.

Take charity from their wealth to purify and uplift them, and pray for them; your prayer is a source of peace for them.

Do they not know that it is Allah who accepts repentance from His servants and receives their charity?

Those who remain seated while others strive in Allah’s cause are not equal, except those with valid excuses. Allah has elevated those who struggle with their wealth and lives above those who stay behind. He has promised all believers a great reward, but He has granted a higher rank and special forgiveness to those who strive.

True believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then never doubt, and strive with their wealth and lives in Allah’s cause. They are sincere.

A believer should never kill another believer, except by mistake. Whoever does so must free a believing slave and pay compensation to the victim’s family, unless they choose to forgo it. If the victim belonged to a hostile people but was a believer, then the atonement is freeing a believing slave. If the victim was from a people bound to you by a treaty, then compensation must be paid along with freeing a believing slave. Those unable to do so must fast for two consecutive months.

You receive half of what your wives leave if they have no children. If they do, you receive a quarter after fulfilling any bequests and debts. Wives receive a quarter of what you leave if you have no children, but if you do, they receive an eighth, after fulfilling any bequests and debts. If a man or woman leaves neither parents nor children but has a brother or sister, each receives a sixth. If there are more siblings, they share a third, after fulfilling any bequests and debts, without causing harm.

These are Allah’s limits. Whoever obeys Him and His Messenger will be admitted into gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain forever. That is the ultimate success.

For everyone, We have appointed heirs to inherit what parents and relatives leave behind. But if you have made a pledge, fulfil it.

You greedily consume inheritance

Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, nor use it to bribe authorities to wrongfully consume a portion of others’ wealth knowingly.

Test the orphans until they reach maturity. If they prove responsible, hand over their wealth. Do not consume it wastefully or hastily before they grow up. The wealthy should not take compensation, but the needy may take fairly. When transferring their wealth, ensure witnesses are present.

If relatives, orphans, and the needy are present at the time of inheritance, grant them something and speak to them kindly.

Let those who fear for their own vulnerable children be mindful of Allah and speak justly.

“Do not approach the orphan’s property except to improve it, until they reach maturity. Give full measure and weight in fairness

O believers, when you contract a debt for a fixed term, record it in writing. Let a scribe write it fairly between you. No scribe should refuse to write as Allah has taught them. Let the debtor dictate, fearing Allah, and not omit anything. But if the debtor is weak, unable, or lacks understanding, let their guardian dictate with fairness. Bring two witnesses from among your men. If two men are not available, then one man and two women, so that if one forgets, the other may remind her. Witnesses must not refuse when called upon. Do not neglect to document transactions, whether small or large, until their due date. This is more just before Allah, stronger for testimony, and less likely to cause doubt, unless it is an immediate exchange. In that case, there is no blame if you do not record it. But take witnesses when making a deal. Let no harm come to the scribe or the witness, for if you do, it is sinful. Be mindful of Allah, for He teaches you, and He knows all things.

If you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit should be taken. If one entrusts another, let the trustee fulfil their trust and fear Allah, their Lord. Do not conceal testimony, for whoever does so has a sinful heart.

And know that whatever spoils you gain, a fifth belongs to Allah, His Messenger, the needy, the orphans, the poor, and the traveller, if you truly believe in Allah and what We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Distinction, the day the two armies met.

So, consume what you have gained, lawful and good

O believers, do not consume interest, multiplying it many times over.

But those who consume interest will rise on Judgment Day like one possessed by Satan. That is because they claim, ‘Trade is just like interest,’ but Allah has forbidden interest and permitted trade. Whoever receives this warning and stops may keep what was earned in the past; Allah will judge them. But those who persist will be companions of the Fire, where they will remain forever.

Allah erases interest.

O believers, be mindful of Allah and give up any remaining interest, if you are truly faithful.

Say: “Whatever reward I might ask of you, it is yours. My reward is only with Allah.”

If you do not, then be warned of war from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may keep your principal, do not wrong others, and you will not be wronged.

It is prescribed that when death approaches any of you, if they leave behind wealth, they should make a fair will for parents and close relatives. This is a duty upon the righteous.

Spend from what We have provided you before death comes to one of you, and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a little while, I would give in charity and be among the righteous.”

But Allah will never delay a soul when its time has come.

O believers, spend from what We have provided for you before the Day comes when there will be no bargaining, no friendship, and no intercession. The disbelievers are the true wrongdoers.