2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًى...

2: 263. Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants,

C309. A very high standard is set for charity.

1. It must be in the way of Allah.

2. It must expect no reward in this world.

3. It must not be followed by references or reminders to the act of charity.

4. Still less should any annoyance or injury be caused to the recipient; e.g. by boasting that the giver relieved the person in the hour of need.

Indeed, the kindness and the spirit which turns a blind eye to other people's faults or short-comings is the essence of charity: these things are better than charity if charity is spoilt by tricks that do harm.

At the same time, while no reward is to be expected, there is abundant reward from Allah -material, moral, and spiritual- according to His own good pleasure and plan.

If we spend in the way of Allah, it is not as if Allah was in need of our charity. On the contrary our short-comings are so great that we require His utmost forbearance before any good that we can do can merit His praise or reward. Our motives are so mixed that our best may really be very poor if judged by a very strict standard.

... وَاللّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦٣﴾

and He is Most Forbearing.

Other Versions:

2: 263

Asad A kind word and the veiling of another’s want [note 259] is better than a charitable deed followed by hurt; and God is self-sufficient, forbearing.

Pickthall A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement.

Qaulum ma'ru_fuw wa magfiratun khairum min sadaqatiy yatba'uha_ aza_(n), walla_hu ganiyyun halim(un).

[ Ali’s notes - 309 A very high standard is set for charity. (1) It must be in the way of God. (2) It must expect no reward in this world. (3) It must not be followed by references or reminders to the act of charity. (4) Still less should any annoyance or injury be caused to the recipient; e.g. by boasting that the giver relieved the person in the hour of need. Indeed, the kindness and the spirit which turns a blind eye to other people's faults or short-comings is the essence of charity: these things are better than charity if charity is spoilt by tricks that do harm. At the same time, while no reward is to be expected, there is abundant reward from God - material, moral, and spiritual - according to His own good pleasure and plan. If we spend in the way of God, it is not as if God was in need of our charity. On the contrary our short-comings are so great that we require His utmost forbearance before any good that we can do can merit His praise or reward. Our motives are so mixed that our best may really be very poor if judged by a very strict standard. (2.263) ]

[ Asad’s note 259 – For the rendering of “maghfarah” (lit., “forgiveness”) in this context as “veiling another’s want” I am indebted to Baghawi’s explanation of this verse. ]