سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 271
إِن تُبْدُوا۟ ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ ۖ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا ٱلْفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿271﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
If you disclose your Sadaqât (alms-giving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allâh) will expiate you some of your sins. And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِن
in
If
تُبْدُوا۟
tub'dū
you disclose
ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ
l-ṣadaqāti
the charities
فَنِعِمَّا
faniʿimmā
then good
هِىَ ۖ
hiya
it (is)
وَإِن
wa-in
But if
تُخْفُوهَا
tukh'fūhā
you keep it secret
وَتُؤْتُوهَا
watu'tūhā
and give it
ٱلْفُقَرَآءَ
l-fuqarāa
(to) the poor
فَهُوَ
fahuwa
then it
خَيْرٌۭ
khayrun
(is) better
لَّكُمْ ۚ
lakum
for you
وَيُكَفِّرُ
wayukaffiru
And He will remove
عَنكُم
ʿankum
from you
مِّن
min
[of]
سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ ۗ
sayyiātikum
your evil deeds
وَٱللَّهُ
wal-lahu
And Allah
بِمَا
bimā
with what
تَعْمَلُونَ
taʿmalūna
you do
خَبِيرٌۭ
khabīrun
(is) All-Aware
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.
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.
[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.
