2. [al-Baqarah, Median 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لِلْفُقَرَاء الَّذِينَ أُحصِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الأَرْضِ...

2: 273. (Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause, are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (for trade or work).

C322. Indiscriminate acts of so-called charity are condemned as they may do more harm than good (see 2:262).

The real beneficiaries of charity are here indicated. They must be in want. And the want must be due to some honorable cause. For example, they may be doing some unpaid service, such as teaching, or acquiring knowledge or skill, or be in exile for their faith, or in other ways be prevented from seeking employment or doing strenuous work.

"Allah's cause" must not be narrowly interpreted. All sincere and real service to humanity comes within the definition, as well as actual devotion to religion or to the righteous Imam. Such men do not beg from door to door. It is the duty of those who are well-to-do, or of the Public Purse, to find them out. (R).

... يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاء مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ...

The ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (unfailing) mark:

... لاَ يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا...

they beg not importunately from all and sundry.

... وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٧٣﴾

And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well.

Pickthall’s Version:

2: 273

Pickthall (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 restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.

Lil fuqara_'il lazina uhsiru_ fi sabililla_hi la_ yastati'u_na darban fil ard(i), yahsabuhumul ja_hilu agniya_'a minat ta'affuf(i), ta'rifuhum bi sima_hum, la_ yas'alu_nan na_sa ilha_fa_(n), wa ma_ tunfiqu_ min khairin fa innalla_ha bihi 'alim(un)

[ Ali’s note - 322 Indiscriminate acts of so-called charity are condemned as they may do more harm than good (see ii 262). The real beneficiaries of charity are here indicated. They must be in want. And the want must be due to some honorable cause. For example, they may be doing some unpaid service, such as teaching, or acquiring knowledge or skill, or be in exile for their faith, or in other ways be prevented from seeking employment or doing strenuous work. "God's cause" must not be narrowly interpreted. All sincere and real service to humanity comes within the definition. Such men do not beg from door to door. It is the duty of those who are well-to-do, or of the Public Purse, to find them out. (2.273)]