Verses 260–264
2. Al-Baqara · The Cow
Madinan286 verses
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍۢ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًۭا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًۭا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
2:260And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord! Show me how You revive the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe?’ He said, ‘Yes indeed, but in order that my heart may be at rest.’ He said, ‘Catch four of the birds. Then cut them into pieces, and place a part of them on every mountain, then call them; they will come to you hastening. And know that Allah is all-mighty and all-wise.’1
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
2:261The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah enhances severalfold whomever He wishes, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّۭا وَلَآ أَذًۭى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
2:262Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reproaches and affronts, they shall have their reward near their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.2
۞ قَوْلٌۭ مَّعْرُوفٌۭ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌۭ مِّن صَدَقَةٍۢ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًۭى ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌۭ
2:263An honourable reply [in response to the needy] and forgiving [their annoyance] is better than a charity followed by affront. Allah is all-sufficient, most forbearing.3
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌۭ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٌۭ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلْدًۭا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍۢ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
2:264O you who have faith! Do not render your charities void by reproaches and affronts, like those who spend their wealth to be seen by people and have no faith in Allah and the Last Day. Their parable is that of a rock covered with soil: a downpour strikes it, leaving it bare. They have no power over anything of what they have earned, and Allah does not guide the faithless lot.45
Tafsir
Commentary on this passage
1.Imam Razi has mentioned twelve sayings why Ibrahim (a.s.) asked such a question? But the fact is that the propagator best knows the condition of his people. Ibrahim’s (a.s.) contact was with Nimrod and he wanted to see the process of life and death, so that he can argue with Nimrod. Otherwise Nimrod might say: Even your Lord cannot do this. It is a clear fact that actual witnessing is not a condition of faith but it is very beneficial in religious propagation.
2.It was the capability of the birds that even after death they harkened to the call of the Prophet. While those were such Muslims whom the Messenger (s.a.) called back in the battle of Ohad but they did not even look back.
3.The three most important things in Islam are religious propagation, Jihad and charity. Charity begins from here and the conditions and its benefits are mentioned. That sincerity is required in charity. Show off, showing obligation and torture is not allowed, otherwise all virtuous deeds will be destroyed. While giving charity one should also remember that Allah is needless. He is not having any need. If He hears your requests it is because of His knowledge, He can punish you too. The people who show off are compared to the infidels because in show off others are aimed for in exception to the Almighty Allah this act is opposed to and in negation to Islam. As recorded in many traditions on the day of Judgment the person who shows off will be entrusted to the one whom to showoff to him he had performed the deed. And obviously he would not have any power to give any reward or recompense.
Footnotes
Explanations of words and phrases in these verses
- 1
If there is Pesh on Saad it denotes attracting and if there is zer it would mean making pieces and in this way the relation of Ilaika would be to Fakhuzoo.
- 2
Manna - To show ones obligation and pain is hurting the feelings and after doing a favour one shows ones obligation.
- 3
To spurn the beggar in a beautiful way without hurting his feelings and to forgive his emotional displeasure.
- 4
Safwaan - Very clear stone. Wabelun - Drops of heavy rain.
- 5
Saldan - barren - bald man is also referred thus.
Benefit
It is said that four birds, peacock, cock, pigeon and crow are the best representation of emotions of show off, sex, entertainment and desire and perfection of man lies in making them into pieces. Also in the traditions the number of mountains are said to be ten; that it was divided into ten parts. In the 261st ayat the philanthropist is compared to Habba and this indicates the good fortune of its existence and to become one with its action.