Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 271

(Ayah 271) ➊ The word { "صَدَقَةٌ" } is derived from { "صِدْقٌ" }, meaning the wealth that a person spends with sincerity of heart. Generally, this word is used for voluntary charity, but sometimes it is also used for obligatory charity, as it is said: «اِنَّمَا الصَّدَقٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ …» [التوبۃ : ۶۰ ] "Charities are only for the poor and the needy, and those employed to collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for freeing slaves, and for those in debt, and in the way of Allah, and for the traveler (in need)."

➋ { فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ : } is originally { ”نِعْمَ مَا“ }, in which { ”مَا“ } means { ”شَيْءٌ“ }, therefore it is translated as "then it is a good thing." In this, open charity is praised, provided it is done with pure intention and free from showing off, because this saves a person from the accusation of miserliness and not fulfilling rights, and it encourages other righteous people to give charity, as happened at the time of the Battle of Tabuk when Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) brought half of his wealth and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) brought all of his wealth, and similarly, other companions gave charity generously.

➌ { وَ اِنْ تُخْفُوْهَا:} That is, giving charity openly is good, but giving it secretly is more virtuous, because it is farther from showing off. According to the majority of commentators, this refers to voluntary charities. (Shawkani) On the contrary, it is permissible to give obligatory zakat secretly, but it is better to give it in front of people, otherwise, one may be accused of not giving zakat, while prayer and zakat are fundamental pillars of faith. Also, Tabari has reported consensus of the Ummah on this. (Fath al-Bari: 6/22)

In numerous hadiths, the virtue of giving voluntary charity secretly has been mentioned. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) counted among the seven people who will be granted Allah’s shade, the one who gives charity with his right hand and conceals it so much that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent. [بخاری، الزکاۃ، باب الصدقۃ بالیمین : ۱۴۲۳، عن أبی ہریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] The incident of the person who gave secret charity one night to a thief, another night to an adulteress, and another night to a rich person also shows the virtue and blessing of secret charity. [بخاری، الزکوٰۃ، باب إذا تصدق علی … : ۱۴۲۱، عن أبی ہریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ]

➍ { وَ تُؤْتُوْهَا الْفُقَرَآءَ :} Giving secretly to the poor conceals their need and does not hurt their self-respect.

➎ { مِنْ سَيِّاٰتِكُمْ : ”مِنْ“} is partitive, so it is translated as "some sins," meaning that as much wealth as is spent, sins will be forgiven accordingly, whether more or less. Besides, there are some sins that are not forgiven by spending wealth, but for which repentance is necessary.

271. 1. From this it is understood that in general circumstances, giving charity secretly is more virtuous, except in cases where giving charity openly serves to encourage others. If there is no intention of showing off, then those who take the initiative in such situations can attain a special virtue, as is clear from the ahadith. However, apart from these specific cases, it is better to give charity and alms quietly. The Prophet ﷺ said that among those who will be granted the shade of Allah’s Throne on the Day of Judgment is the person who gave charity so secretly that his left hand did not know what his right hand spent. Some scholars have restricted the virtue of secrecy in charity only to voluntary charities and have considered it better to make it public when paying zakat. But the generality of the Quran includes both voluntary and obligatory charities (Ibn Kathir), and the generality of the hadith also supports this.

271. If you disclose your charities, it is good; but if you give to the poor in secret [387], it is better for you. Such charity will remove many of your misdeeds. And Allah is fully aware of what you do.

[387] From this verse, the greater virtue of giving charity secretly is established, as is also made clear by the following hadiths.

The Virtue of Secret Charity:

1. Hazrat Anas bin Malik ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: When Allah created the earth, it was shaking. Then Allah created the mountains and said to them, “Hold it (the earth) firm.” So it became stable. The angels were amazed at the strength of the mountains and said, “O Lord! Is there anything in Your creation stronger than the mountains?” He said, “Yes, iron.” The angels said, “O Lord, is there anything stronger than iron?” He said, “Yes, fire.” Then they said, “Is there anything stronger than fire?” He said, “Yes, water.” They said, “Is there anything stronger than water?” He said, “Yes, wind.” Then they said, “Is there anything stronger than wind?” He said, “Yes, the man who gives charity in such a way that his right hand gives and his left hand does not know.” [ترمذي، ابواب التفسير، سورة الناس]

Seven People Who Will Be Granted Shade on the Day of Judgment:

2. Hazrat Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said: Allah Almighty will grant shade under His Throne to seven types of people (on the Day of Judgment), the day when there will be no shade except His shade. The first is a just ruler. The second is a youth who spent his youth in worship. The third is a person whose heart remains attached to the mosque. The fourth are two people who love each other for the sake of Allah, meet for His sake, and part for His sake. The fifth is a man whom a woman of status and beauty invites (to immorality), and he says, “I fear Allah.” The sixth is the person who gives charity so secretly in the way of Allah that his right hand gives and his left hand does not know. The seventh is the person who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes overflow with tears. [ بخاري، كتاب الاذان باب من جلس فى المسجد ينتظر الصلوة] However, some scholars say that obligatory charity, such as zakat, should be given openly so that others may be encouraged, but voluntary charity is better given secretly, and it is clear that doing good deeds in secret leads to greater self-reform.