سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 280
وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿280﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِن
wa-in
And if
كَانَ
kāna
is
ذُو
dhū
the (debtor)
عُسْرَةٍۢ
ʿus'ratin
in difficulty
فَنَظِرَةٌ
fanaẓiratun
then postponement
إِلَىٰ
ilā
until
مَيْسَرَةٍۢ ۚ
maysaratin
ease
وَأَن
wa-an
And if
تَصَدَّقُوا۟
taṣaddaqū
you remit as charity
خَيْرٌۭ
khayrun
(it is) better
لَّكُمْ ۖ
lakum
for you
إِن
in
If
كُنتُمْ
kuntum
you
تَعْلَمُونَ
taʿlamūna
know
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.
(Ayah 280){وَ اِنْ كَانَ ذُوْ عُسْرَةٍ …:} In the time of ignorance, in case of non-payment of a loan, compound interest would be added to the principal amount, due to which a small sum would become a mountain and its repayment would become impossible. The same situation exists today. In contrast, Allah has commanded that if someone is in difficulty, (let alone interest) give him respite until ease, and if you forgive the loan altogether, that is even better. There is great virtue mentioned in the hadiths regarding this. It is narrated from Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Whoever gives respite to a person in difficulty, he will receive the reward of charity equal to that loan for every day." Then I also heard you say: "Whoever gives respite to a person in difficulty, he will receive the reward of charity double the amount of that loan for every day." I said: "O Messenger of Allah! I heard you say that whoever gives respite to a person in difficulty, he will receive the reward of charity equal to that loan for every day, and then I also heard you say that whoever gives respite to a person in difficulty, he will receive the reward of charity double the amount of that loan for every day?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Until the due date of repayment, he will receive the reward of charity equal to the loan, and if he gives respite after the due date arrives, he will receive the reward of charity double the amount of the loan." [مسند أحمد : 360/5، ح : ۲۳۱۱۰۔ الصحیحۃ : ۸۶ ]
And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever gives respite to his debtor or forgives the loan, Allah will grant him His shade (on the Day of Resurrection)." [مسلم، الزہد، باب حدیث جابر الطویل … : ۳۰۰۶، عن عبادۃ بن الصامت رضی اللہ عنہ ]
And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever gives respite to his debtor or forgives the loan, Allah will grant him His shade (on the Day of Resurrection)." [مسلم، الزہد، باب حدیث جابر الطویل … : ۳۰۰۶، عن عبادۃ بن الصامت رضی اللہ عنہ ]
