3. Sura al-Imran

Medina 89 [200 verses]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ...

3: 92. By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love;

C419. The test of charity is:

- do you give something that you value greatly, something that you love?

- If you give your life in a Cause, that is the greatest gift you can give.

- If you give yourself, that is, your personal efforts, your talents, your skill, your learning, that comes next in degree.

- If you give your earnings, your property, your possessions, that is also a great gift; for many people love them even more than other things.

And there are less tangible things, such as position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of Allah.

...وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٩٢﴾

and whatever ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well.

Other Versions:

3: 92

Asad Never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend – verily, God has full knowledge thereof.

Pickthall Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend, Allah is aware thereof.

Transliteration Lan tana_lul birra hatta_ tunfiqu_ mimma_ tuhibbu_n(a), wa ma_ tunfiqu_ min syai'in fainnalla_ha bihi 'alim(un).

[ Ruby’s note - This verse is a key verse to humankind indicating that one can serve God best by serving fellow human beings. That is one of the highest piety. Charity here is meant in general term – giving and sharing to others unconditionally. The purpose behind this giving is contribution to the welfare of others. Whatever God has given one – knowledge, wisdom, wealth, capacity, time etc. – should be spend on others to help others for their true well-being. The right attitude behind this giving and sharing should be unconditional in terms of one’s own selfish interest, this is only to serve and please God by serving fellow human beings. One’s true receiving is from God only, not from any other human being, there is nothing to ask from another human being.]

[ Ali’s note - 419 The test of charity is: do you give something that you value greatly, something that you love? If you give your life in a Cause, that is the greatest gift you can give. If you give yourself, that is, your personal efforts, your talents, your skill, your learning, that comes next in degree. If you give your earnings, your property, your possessions, that is also a great gift; for many people love them even more than other things. And there are less tangible things, such as position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of Allah. (3.92) ]