Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And what loss have they if they had believed in Allâh and in the Last Day, and they spend out of what Allâh has given them for sustenance? And Allâh is Ever All-Knower of them.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَاذَاwamādhāAnd what
عَلَيْهِمْʿalayhim(is) against them
لَوْlawif
ءَامَنُوا۟āmanūthey believed
بِٱللَّهِbil-lahiin Allah
وَٱلْيَوْمِwal-yawmiand the Day
ٱلْـَٔاخِرِl-ākhirithe Last
وَأَنفَقُوا۟wa-anfaqūand spent
مِمَّاmimmāfrom what
رَزَقَهُمُrazaqahumu(has) provided them
ٱللَّهُ ۚl-lahuAllah
وَكَانَwakānaAnd is
ٱللَّهُl-lahuAllah
بِهِمْbihimabout them
عَلِيمًاʿalīmanAll-Knower
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
After the condemnation of miserliness and showing off, encouragement towards faith, obedience, and charity is given. Then, for further encouragement, it is stated that when Allah gives manifold rewards for even the smallest of deeds, then why do people become lazy in doing good deeds and, by acting with show-off, waste their reward? In this noble verse, Allah has informed His servants that He will not wrong anyone even to the extent of a particle, rather, if there is a single good deed, He will increase it manifold and, by granting a great reward from Himself, make it a means of salvation. Abu Sa‘id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said (in a long hadith): “Allah will say (to the angels), ‘Go and bring out from Hell anyone in whose heart you find even a mustard seed’s weight of goodness (i.e., faith).’ So they will bring out many creatures.” After narrating this hadith, Abu Sa‘id (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: “If you do not believe me to be truthful in this hadith, then recite this verse: «{ اِنَّاللّٰهَلَايَظْلِمُمِثْقَالَذَرَّةٍوَاِنْتَكُحَسَنَةًيُّضٰعِفْهَا }»[ مسلم، الإیمان، باب معرفۃ الطریق الرؤیۃ : ۱۸۳ ] Surely Allah does not wrong even to the extent of a particle, and if there is a good deed, He doubles it and grants from Himself a great reward, that is, both in this world and in the Hereafter.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) swore an oath.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
39. And what harm would have come to them if they had believed in Allah and the Last Day, and spent out of what Allah had provided them [72]? And Allah knows them well.
[72] That is, if they had spent in the way of Allah from the wealth given by Him, believing in Allah and the Hereafter, it would not have been a loss for them but rather a benefit, because in this there is also gratitude to Allah and in the Hereafter, a reward multiplied hundreds of times. The loss is in the case where the wealth is gone from their hands, and not only do they not receive any reward, but instead there will be punishment, and this is the fate of the ostentatious person.
The Deniers of the Hereafter Are in Loss:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali ؓ that a disbeliever said to him, "The Hereafter in which you believe is merely a supposition which you cannot prove with certainty. Then, on the basis of this supposition, you impose various restrictions upon yourselves, spend your wealth, and thus remain deprived of all kinds of worldly pleasures. This is clearly a loss." He ؓ replied to him, "The time we spend in the worship of Allah, it is certain that at least during that time we are saved from bad things and evil deeds. And if we spend wealth, then surely some needy person benefits from it. Then, we also derive happiness from these deeds. As for the pleasures of the world and enjoying them, this is only for a few days. After death, we and you become equal. If, after death, our belief turns out to be correct, then we will be deserving of eternal comforts and blessings, and you will face various kinds of hardships and the torment of Hell, and this will be an everlasting punishment. And if, for the sake of argument, your belief turns out to be correct, then tell me, what harm will come to us? Therefore, think carefully: are we the ones at risk, or are you?" Hearing this, he came to his senses and accepted faith.
40. Allah does not wrong anyone even by an atom's weight. If someone does a good deed, Allah will multiply it many times over and will grant a great reward from Himself.