سُوْرَةُ التَّوْبَةِ
Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 79
ٱلَّذِينَ يَلْمِزُونَ ٱلْمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ إِلَّا جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ ۙ سَخِرَ ٱللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿79﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allâh’s Cause) voluntarily, and such who could not find to give charity (in Allâh’s Cause) except what is available to them - so they mock at them (believers); Allâh will throw back their mockery on them, and they shall have a painful torment.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
Those who
يَلْمِزُونَ
yalmizūna
criticize
ٱلْمُطَّوِّعِينَ
l-muṭawiʿīna
the ones who give willingly
مِنَ
mina
of
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
l-mu'minīna
the believers
فِى
fī
concerning
ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ
l-ṣadaqāti
the charities
وَٱلَّذِينَ
wa-alladhīna
and those who
لَا
lā
not
يَجِدُونَ
yajidūna
find
إِلَّا
illā
except
جُهْدَهُمْ
juh'dahum
their effort
فَيَسْخَرُونَ
fayaskharūna
so they ridicule
مِنْهُمْ ۙ
min'hum
them
سَخِرَ
sakhira
Allah will ridicule
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
Allah will ridicule
مِنْهُمْ
min'hum
them
وَلَهُمْ
walahum
and for them
عَذَابٌ
ʿadhābun
(is) a punishment
أَلِيمٌ
alīmun
painful
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.
(Ayah79) ➊ {اَلَّذِيْنَ يَلْمِزُوْنَ الْمُطَّوِّعِيْنَ …: ’’ الْمُطَّوِّعِيْنَ ‘‘} is an active participle from the form "tafa‘‘ul," which was originally {’’مُتَطَوِّعِيْنَ‘‘}. These are the people who, besides the obligatory zakat, spend more wealth willingly. "Juhd" means effort and hardship, that is, those who are not wealthy but still spend even the little wealth they earn through hard work and toil. On the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) appealed for donations, the wealthy hypocrites sat with their hands folded, but the sincere believers began to bring donations, so they started making remarks about them. When someone brought a large donation, they would call him a show-off, and when someone brought a small amount of wealth or grain, they would say, "Does Allah need this?" In both cases, they would mock and ridicule. This was the occasion when Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) brought half of his wealth, thinking that if he could surpass, today he would surpass Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came, he had brought all his household wealth. [ ترمذی، المناقب، باب رجاؤہ أن یکون أبوبکر… : ۳۶۷۵، وقال حسن صحیح وحسنہ الألبانی ]
Abdur Rahman bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that at the time of preparation for the Battle of Tabuk, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) brought one thousand dinars and placed them in the lap of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Abdur Rahman (may Allah be pleased with him) says, I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) turning over those dinars and saying twice: "After (this deed) today, whatever Uthman does will not harm him." [ ترمذی، المناقب، باب فی عد عثمان تسمیتہ شہیدا… : ۳۷۰۱ ] Abu Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when the verse of charity was revealed, we would carry loads on our backs, that is, we would earn wages in this way, so a man came and gave a large amount in charity, so (the hypocrites) said, "He wants to show off," and another man came and gave one sa‘ (two kilos of grain) in charity, so they said, "Allah is independent of his charity (what need does He have for it?)" So this verse was revealed. [ بخاری، الزکوٰۃ، باب : اتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرۃ … : ۱۴۱۵ ] Abu Mas‘ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Abu ‘Aqil (after working as a laborer) brought half a sa‘ (one kilo of grain), and another person brought more wealth, so the hypocrites said, "What need did Allah have for this (half sa‘), and the other only gave for show." Upon this, this verse was revealed: «اَلَّذِيْنَ يَلْمِزُوْنَ الْمُطَّوِّعِيْنَ» [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب قولہ : { الذین یلمزون المطوعین… } : ۴۶۶۹ ]
➋ For the explanation of { سَخِرَ اللّٰهُ مِنْهُمْ:}, see Surah Al-Baqarah, verse (15).
Abdur Rahman bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that at the time of preparation for the Battle of Tabuk, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) brought one thousand dinars and placed them in the lap of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Abdur Rahman (may Allah be pleased with him) says, I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) turning over those dinars and saying twice: "After (this deed) today, whatever Uthman does will not harm him." [ ترمذی، المناقب، باب فی عد عثمان تسمیتہ شہیدا… : ۳۷۰۱ ] Abu Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when the verse of charity was revealed, we would carry loads on our backs, that is, we would earn wages in this way, so a man came and gave a large amount in charity, so (the hypocrites) said, "He wants to show off," and another man came and gave one sa‘ (two kilos of grain) in charity, so they said, "Allah is independent of his charity (what need does He have for it?)" So this verse was revealed. [ بخاری، الزکوٰۃ، باب : اتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرۃ … : ۱۴۱۵ ] Abu Mas‘ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Abu ‘Aqil (after working as a laborer) brought half a sa‘ (one kilo of grain), and another person brought more wealth, so the hypocrites said, "What need did Allah have for this (half sa‘), and the other only gave for show." Upon this, this verse was revealed: «اَلَّذِيْنَ يَلْمِزُوْنَ الْمُطَّوِّعِيْنَ» [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب قولہ : { الذین یلمزون المطوعین… } : ۴۶۶۹ ]
➋ For the explanation of { سَخِرَ اللّٰهُ مِنْهُمْ:}, see Surah Al-Baqarah, verse (15).
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.
79. 1. The meaning of مطّوعین is those who, in addition to the obligatory charities, willingly spend more in the way of Allah. The meaning of "جہد" is effort and hardship, that is, those people who are not wealthy but still, from the little wealth they earn through their hard work and effort, spend in the way of Allah. In this verse, another extremely vile act of the hypocrites is being mentioned: when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, on occasions such as war, would appeal to the Muslims for donations, the Muslims would respond to his appeal and participate according to their ability. Whoever had more wealth would give more charity, and whoever had less would give less. These hypocrites would taunt both types of Muslims: about those who gave more, they would say that their intention is showing off and ostentation, and to those who gave less, they would say, "What will become of your little wealth?" or "Allah is independent of your charity." (Sahih Bukhari) In this way, those hypocrites would mock and ridicule the Muslims.
79. 2. That is, He repays the mockery of the believers by humiliating and disgracing them. This relates to the principle of rhetorical correspondence (Mushakalah) (باب مشاکلت), which is a principle of علم البلاغت (the science of eloquence), or it is a supplication: may Allah also deal with them in mockery just as they mock the Muslims. (Fath al-Qadeer)
79. 2. That is, He repays the mockery of the believers by humiliating and disgracing them. This relates to the principle of rhetorical correspondence (Mushakalah) (باب مشاکلت), which is a principle of علم البلاغت (the science of eloquence), or it is a supplication: may Allah also deal with them in mockery just as they mock the Muslims. (Fath al-Qadeer)
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.
(Among the hypocrites are those) who criticize the believers who give charity willingly [94], and also those (poor Muslims) who can find nothing to give except from their hard-earned labor. These hypocrites mock at them. Allah will mock them in return, and for them is a painful punishment.
[94]
Those Who Donated for the Battle of Tabuk:
At the time of the Battle of Tabuk, there was also a famine. The crops had not yet ripened. The journey was long and distant. The confrontation was with the Romans, and there was a significant shortage of weapons and mounts. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ made a strong appeal for the jihad fund, as a result of which Sayyiduna Uthman ؓ and Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf ؓ participated enthusiastically and donated so much that the Prophet ﷺ became pleased. Sayyiduna Umar ؓ brought half of his household assets for the jihad fund, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ brought all of his household assets and presented them. Every Muslim contributed to this fund according to his ability. The poor gave according to their means, and the wealthy gave according to their means and eagerness. One companion, Abu Aqil, worked as a laborer all night, for which his wage was one sa’ of dates. He took half a sa’ home and brought the other half to the Prophet ﷺ. [ بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ سورة توبه زير آيت هذا]
The Prophet ﷺ was so pleased with this half sa’ that he spread those dates on top of the pile. In reality, it was not the value of the half sa’ of dates, but rather the intention, eagerness, and desire with which he, by cutting from his family’s share, presented half a sa’.
The Hypocrites’ Taunts Against the Donors:
On this occasion, the hypocrites found ample opportunity to make sarcastic remarks. If someone donated generously, they would say that all of this was for show and ostentation. And if someone gave a little, they would say, “With such a small amount, what war need can be fulfilled? These people just want to get their names written among the martyrs by smearing a little blood.” And what concern would Allah have for this? In short, no one was safe from their taunts and reproaches. This is the background of the revelation of this verse, as is made clear by the following hadith: Abu Mas’ud Ansari ؓ says, “When we were commanded to give charity, at that time we used to carry loads for wages. Abu Aqil (from such labor) brought half a sa’ of dates, so the hypocrites said, ‘What concern would Allah have for Abu Aqil’s charity?’ Another man (Abdur Rahman bin Awf ؓ) brought a large amount of wealth, so the hypocrites said, ‘He has given so much in charity for show (fame).’ At that time, this verse was revealed.” [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ مسلم۔ كتاب الزكوٰة باب الحمل باجرة يتصدق بها]
[94]
Those Who Donated for the Battle of Tabuk:
At the time of the Battle of Tabuk, there was also a famine. The crops had not yet ripened. The journey was long and distant. The confrontation was with the Romans, and there was a significant shortage of weapons and mounts. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ made a strong appeal for the jihad fund, as a result of which Sayyiduna Uthman ؓ and Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Awf ؓ participated enthusiastically and donated so much that the Prophet ﷺ became pleased. Sayyiduna Umar ؓ brought half of his household assets for the jihad fund, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ brought all of his household assets and presented them. Every Muslim contributed to this fund according to his ability. The poor gave according to their means, and the wealthy gave according to their means and eagerness. One companion, Abu Aqil, worked as a laborer all night, for which his wage was one sa’ of dates. He took half a sa’ home and brought the other half to the Prophet ﷺ. [ بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ سورة توبه زير آيت هذا]
The Prophet ﷺ was so pleased with this half sa’ that he spread those dates on top of the pile. In reality, it was not the value of the half sa’ of dates, but rather the intention, eagerness, and desire with which he, by cutting from his family’s share, presented half a sa’.
The Hypocrites’ Taunts Against the Donors:
On this occasion, the hypocrites found ample opportunity to make sarcastic remarks. If someone donated generously, they would say that all of this was for show and ostentation. And if someone gave a little, they would say, “With such a small amount, what war need can be fulfilled? These people just want to get their names written among the martyrs by smearing a little blood.” And what concern would Allah have for this? In short, no one was safe from their taunts and reproaches. This is the background of the revelation of this verse, as is made clear by the following hadith: Abu Mas’ud Ansari ؓ says, “When we were commanded to give charity, at that time we used to carry loads for wages. Abu Aqil (from such labor) brought half a sa’ of dates, so the hypocrites said, ‘What concern would Allah have for Abu Aqil’s charity?’ Another man (Abdur Rahman bin Awf ؓ) brought a large amount of wealth, so the hypocrites said, ‘He has given so much in charity for show (fame).’ At that time, this verse was revealed.” [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ مسلم۔ كتاب الزكوٰة باب الحمل باجرة يتصدق بها]
