Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 261

(Ayah 261){فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ:} In the Noble Qur’an, the word {”سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ“ } has appeared in the general sense, meaning Islam, as He said: «اِنَّ كَثِيْرًا مِّنَ الْاَحْبَارِ وَ الرُّهْبَانِ لَيَاْكُلُوْنَ اَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَ يَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ » [التوبۃ: ۳۴ ] “Indeed, many of the scholars and monks certainly consume the wealth of people unjustly and hinder [them] from the way of Allah.” In this case, spending in any act of Islam is spending in the way of Allah, and it has also come in a specific sense, as in Surah At-Tawbah (60), where among the places to spend charity, one is { ”فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ“ }. There, by { ”فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ“ }, specific jihad is meant, and in Sahih Bukhari, Hajj is also included in this. Here, although the general meaning can also be intended, but as Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) said, taking jihad as the meaning is more appropriate in view of the preceding and following verses.

261. 1. This is the virtue of spending in the way of Allah. If it refers to jihad, then it means that the reward for the money spent in jihad will be this, and if it refers to all charitable expenditures, then this virtue will be for voluntary expenditures and charities and other good deeds. And the reward for one good deed will fall under the tenfold reward. (Fath al-Qadeer) Thus, the general reward and recompense for expenditures and charities is greater than other good deeds. The reason for the importance and virtue of spending in the way of Allah is also clear: until the provision and weapons of war are arranged, the performance of the army will also be zero, and provision and weapons cannot be arranged without money.

261. The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain of corn that grows seven ears, and in every ear there are a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies the reward even more for whom He wills [376], and Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing [377].

[376]
How Does the Reward of Charity Increase or Decrease?

In verse number 254 of this very surah, the believers were encouraged to spend in the way of Allah, as this is what will be of benefit on the Day of Resurrection. After mentioning some incidents regarding the recognition of Allah and His management of affairs, the discourse now returns to the same subject, explaining how, on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will multiply these charities hundreds of times and grant their reward. Allah clarifies this increase with an example that everyone can see with their own eyes: if Allah wills, more than seven ears can grow, and in one ear, there can be more than a hundred grains. In this way, the reward for charity can increase more than seven hundred times. To attain such a reward, it is necessary to observe a few things. For example:

Charity from Haram Wealth is Not Accepted:

1. The healthier and stronger the seed or grain, the better the crop will be. In spending in the way of Allah, the seed or grain is a person’s intention; the more sincerely it is for the pleasure of Allah, the more fruitful your charity will be. Also, this charity should be from lawful wealth, because charity from unlawful wealth is not accepted at all.
2. After sowing the seed, to obtain the yield, it is also necessary to irrigate it and protect it from pests; otherwise, the crop will either be ruined or will yield very little. Similarly, after giving charity, it should also be protected and not wasted by reminding others of your favor or by exacting service in return, as will be mentioned in the next verse.
3. Sometimes, even when the crop is ready, some earthly or heavenly calamity befalls it and completely destroys it. In a person’s deeds, these calamities are various forms of shirk. If you gave charity with a completely correct intention, then continued to irrigate and protect it, but at some point committed an act of shirk, your deeds will be ruined. Similarly, if the act is against the Sunnah (i.e., an innovation), then instead of reward, it will be deserving of punishment.

The Reward of Charity:

Yes, whoever observes these matters will indeed receive the reward mentioned in this verse, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Allah only accepts pure wealth, so whoever gives charity from his pure wealth, even if it is equal to a date, Allah takes it in His hand and nurtures it as you nurture your calf, until that date becomes as big as a mountain. [بخاري، كتاب الزكاة، باب لا يقبل اللّٰه صدقة من غلول۔ اور باب الصدقة من كسب طيب لقوله تعالىٰ يمحق الله الربٰو اور ير بي الصدقات ....الاية- مسلم، كتاب الزكوٰة، باب الحث على الصدقة ولو بشق تمرة او كلمة طيبة۔۔۔ الخ]
[377] That is, He can give as much reward as He wishes, and He also knows with how much sincerity you performed this deed.