The Holy Quran 2:266 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَلَهُۥ ذُرِّيَّةٌ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعْصَارٌ فِيهِ نَارٌ فَٱحْتَرَقَتْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Translation

Would any of you like to own a garden (an orchard) containing all types of fruit for himself, with palm trees, vines and rivers flowing beneath? (Later, however) He then suffers old age while he (still) has weak (young) children (who cannot assist him) and a severe wind carrying fire strikes (his garden), burning it down (leaving him in desperate want when he most needs wealth to care for his children. This example is like that of a person who spends in charity but also reminds others of his favours and causes them hurt. These evils destroy all his rewards and will leave him in desperate want of rewards in the Aakhirah when he will need them most). In this manner does Allaah make His Aayaat clear for you so that you may ponder. (If a person's intentions are incorrect, the results of his actions will be fruitless.)

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

Another example of hurt and showing off: this is the example of those who give charity and alms to show people, or who, after giving charity, remind of the favour and cause hurt. That is, it is like a person who in his youth and strength prepared a garden so that in his weakness and old age he might eat its fruit and it might be of use in time of need.

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.