Verse 272 of Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a brilliant gem within the corpus of Quranic verses on almsgiving, elucidates the multifaceted dimensions of this devotional and social act. This verse, with profound wisdom, not only refers to divine guidance and sincerity of intention in almsgiving, but also reveals its psychological, eschatological, and divine effects with unparalleled subtlety. Almsgiving, portrayed as a bridge between the human soul and divine proximity, is introduced here as a multidimensional act that both purifies the heart of the giver and preserves the dignity of the recipient. This exegesis, employing a scientific and systematic approach, explores the profound meanings of the verse through the lens of human sciences such as psychology and philosophy alongside Quranic principles. The purpose of this treatise is to provide a comprehensive and elegant analysis that clarifies the deep significance of this verse for specialised audiences and academic contexts.
Verse 272 of Surah Al-Baqarah, following the verses on almsgiving (verses 261 to 271), forms part of the Quranic discourse on this devotional and social act. This verse, with a sagacious perspective, delineates the intricacies and wisdom underlying almsgiving and highlights three principal themes: psychological effects, sincerity of intention, and eschatological reward. The context of this verse, among those encouraging almsgiving and clarifying its rulings, demonstrates the depth and comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran in guiding humanity towards good and perfection.
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِأَنْفُسِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنْفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
It is not upon you to guide them, but rather Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you spend is for yourselves. And you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever good you spend will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
Verse 272 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as a beacon on the path of guidance, manifests the place of almsgiving within the Quranic educational system. This verse, by linking almsgiving to divine guidance, sincerity of intention, and psychological and eschatological effects, introduces a multidimensional act which not only aids those in need but also guides the giver towards spiritual perfection.
The opening phrase of the verse, لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ, addresses two fundamental aspects: diversity in Quranic discourse and alleviation of the Prophets mission-related concerns. This part of the verse, emphasising that the guidance of people does not rest with the Prophet but with Allah, soothes the Prophets anxiety over non-observance of almsgiving principles such as avoidance of ostentation, humiliation of the poor, or neglect. This statement, like a gentle breeze, calms the Prophets heart from the anxieties of the mission and affirms the divine sovereignty in guidance.
The Holy Quran, like a garden filled with colourful flowers, invites the audience to contemplation through varied expressions. Contrary to the misconception that the Quranic verses lack order, this diversity forms part of its educational system which, by attracting attention, leads the audience to a deeper understanding of guidance. The opening phrase of verse 272, by shifting focus from almsgiving to guidance, exemplifies this diversity, avoiding monotony and presenting divine wisdom through multiple expressive forms.
Understanding the nuances and contexts of the Quranic verses is not a facile task due to their depth and complexity. This challenge requires multifaceted knowledge including Quranic sciences, psychology, and philosophy. Just as exploring oceanic depths necessitates tools and skills, grasping the profound meanings of the Quran demands knowledge and reflection. This verse, with its multilayered meanings, invites researchers to delve into Quranic wisdom.
The claim by some that the Qurans verses are disordered stems from ignorance of its educational and wise structure. The Quran, like a masterful painting, conveys its meanings to the audience through a hidden order and evident diversity. This order avoids monotony and repetition and, through varied expression, directs the audience towards contemplation and profundity.
The opening phrase of verse 272, by stressing divine guidance and alleviating the Prophets concerns, opens a window onto the pedagogical wisdom of the Holy Quran. The diversity in expression and hidden order of the verses reflect the depth and comprehensiveness of this celestial book, which, with subtlety, guides the audience towards understanding and action.
Verse 272, by emphasising the phrase وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ, insists that almsgiving must be of good, namely clean, new, and valuable wealth. This criterion aligns with verse 3:92 لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ, which ties almsgiving to that which a person loves. Here, good is akin to a precious gem, symbolising wealth that is valuable not only materially but also spiritually.
You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love.
Giving old, surplus,
