Verse 261 of Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a luminous gem within the constellation of Quranic verses, illuminates the significance of charity in the path of God and, employing an agricultural metaphor, portrays the grandeur of divine recompense. This verse, with profound meaning and encompassing scientific, social, and doctrinal dimensions, opens a window towards understanding the wisdoms embedded in the Quran. In this discourse, relying on the content of the lecture, a comprehensive analysis of this verse is undertaken, focusing on the concepts of charity and altruism, the critique of lexical synonymy, and the semantic implications of the term nafaq in its two contrasting meanings of charity and hypocrisy. The structure of this writing, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, comprises principal sections with specialised subheadings, each examining an aspect of the verse. The objective is to provide a profound and academic analysis that offers scientific and literary enrichment for researchers in Quranic studies, Islamic ethics, and linguistics.
Translation of the verse:
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear there are a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [the reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.
This verse, through an agricultural simile, likens charity to a seed that produces seven ears, each bearing a hundred grains, thereby illustrating the magnitude of divine reward. This imagery, not only possessing literary beauty, conveys profound doctrinal, social, and ethical messages which shall be analysed in detail.
Conclusion of Section:
Verse 261 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a clear spring, contains multiple layers of knowledge. Its agricultural metaphor is not only literarily appealing but also a guide for understanding divine wisdom in promoting charity. This section sets the stage for deeper analyses in subsequent parts.
In the moral system of the Holy Quran, actions are categorised into three levels: legal obligation, which constitutes the minimal duty expected from all members of society; charity, which is a voluntary and intermediate act; and altruism, the supreme ethical level demanding sacrifice and noble character. This classification delineates a hierarchical framework wherein legal obligation is foundational for all, charity serves as a bridge towards benevolence, and altruism represents the pinnacle accessible to a few.
Distinction Between Charity and Altruism
A fundamental question arises as to why the Quran, despite the superiority of altruism as the highest ethical category, emphasises charity more extensively. The answer lies in Quranic wisdom: altruism, due to its rarity and difficulty, is performed by only a select few, whereas charity, as an intermediate level, aligns with the capabilities of the majority. This wisdom, akin to a guiding torch, demonstrates that the Quran prioritises actions with potential for societal expansion.
Conclusion of Section:
The explication of ethical action hierarchies offers a clear map to understand the status of charity and altruism within the Quranic framework. Charity, due to its accessibility and broad social impact, is the focal point of the Quran, while altruism, albeit noble, remains marginal due to its rarity.
Charity, like a flowing stream, irrigates social issues. This act, being moderate, is practicable for the majority of society and therefore promoted by the Quran as an effective tool for addressing social needs. In contrast, altruism, like a lofty summit, is attainable only by a few and cannot broadly solve societal problems.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Value of Charity
Charity retains intrinsic value even if performed with impure intention, as it contributes to solving tangible problems, such as saving a living being. However, its extrinsic value, which leads to divine reward, depends on pure intention. This distinction, like a mirror, reveals two facets of charity: one social good and the other eternal recompense.
Collective Effect of Charity
The plural form in the phrase those who spend indicates the significance of collective charity. While individual charity, though valuable, is limited, collective charity, like converging waves, can engender profound societal transformation. This emphasis reflects Quranic wisdom in promoting social solidarity.
Conclusion of Section:
The Quranic wisdom emphasising charity lies in its social efficacy and expansibility. Charity, due to accessibility and collective impact, is an effective means for societal reform and addressing needs, while its extrinsic value, when coupled with pure intention, leads to divine recompense.
The critique of lexical synonymy is a prominent point in analysing this verse. Some classical lexicons, due to weak derivational analysis, have treated nafaq and nafad as synonymous. However, this view, like a fragile edifice, is subject to criticism. Language, constrained by limited words and multiple meanings, cannot employ two words for one meaning. Nafad signifies natural exit, such as the natural end of life or wealth (as in the verse: What you have will end, but what Allah has is everlasting, Surah An-Nahl, 16:96). Conversely, nafaq implies unnatural exit, such as spending wealth with intent and volition.
Semantic Implications of Nafaq in the Holy Quran
The word nafaq occurs 112 times in the Quran: 74 times in the positive meaning of charity and 38 times in the negative meaning of hypocrisy. Although from the same root, these meanings oppose each other directionally. Charity involves unnatural expenditure of wealth toward God, an affirmative and beneficent act. Hypocrisy entails unnatural departure from faith toward disbelief, a negative and detrimental act. This distinction, like two branches of one root, illustrates semantic unity in unnatural exit and divergence in destination.
Example of Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is likened to a desert rat digging two burrows: Qasia (apparent, such as hypocritical prayer) and Nafiqa (inner, such as hidden disbelief). This metaphor, like a precise map, reveals the dual-faced nature of hypocrisy, which is faith in appearance and disbelief in essence.
Conclusion of Section:
The lexical analysis of nafaq opens a window for more precise understanding of Quranic verses. The critique of synonymy and explanation of nafaq in its dual meanings manifest the linguistic depth of the Holy Quran. This analysis is a valuable guide for researchers in linguistics and Quranic sciences.
Although charity is commonly associated with wealth, it is not limited thereto. Forgiveness, as stated in the verse Say: Forgiveness (Al-Baqarah 2:219), exemplifies non-material charity. Forgiveness, akin to pardoning a patricide or even granting a shop or assistance for his marriage, is a noble act reflecting moral generosity.
Practical Example Differentiating Charity and Altruism
To elucidate the difference between charity and altruism, a practical example is presented: gifting a book such as Bihar al-Anwar to another constitutes charity as it demands little sacrifice. However, relinquishing a book like Makaseb while personally needing it is altruism, entailing foregoing ones own necessity. This example, like a mirror, clarifies the distinction between these acts.
Charity and Practical Mysticism
From a mystical perspective, the perfection of worship condenses into three elements: prayer (connection with God), need (charity for the poor), and gentleness (respect for the weak). Charity is a prerequisite for the value of prayer, and respect for the poor demonstrates genuine humility. This viewpoint, like a gem in the crown of mysticism, emphasises the importance of charity in spiritual advancement.
Critique of Social Discrimination
Respect for the wealthy coupled with neglect of the poor is akin to a dark shadow, a manifest form of polytheism. The Quran, by underscoring respect for the weak (as in the verse And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him], Ad-Duha 93:10), insists on humility before the poor. This critique is an invitation to reevaluate social behaviours.
Conclusion of Section:
Non-material charity, especially forgiveness, and practical mysticism add new dimensions to understanding charity. This section, by emphasising respect for the poor and the role of charity in spiritual maturation, provides a roadmap for personal and social reform.
Verse 261 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a gushing spring, presents profound knowledge concerning charity, altruism, and the lexical implications of nafaq. Through an agricultural metaphor, it promotes charity as a moderate but effective act which, with pure intention, leads to immense reward. The critique of lexical synonymy and analysis of nafaq in its dual senses reveal the linguistic profundity of the Holy Quran. The emphasis on collective charity and respect for the poor serves as guidance for societal reform and spiritual evolution. This writing, integrating lecture content with scientific analyses, constitutes a step towards enhanced understanding of Quranic wisdoms and is a valuable resource for researchers in religious and ethical sciences.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
