The Holy Quran 2:273 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَـٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ

Translation

(Charity is) For the poor who are held back in the path of Allaah (they are unable to seek a living because of their services to the Deen) and cannot travel in the land (for trade or work like the Sahabah رضي الله تعالى عنهم and Ahlus Suffah). An ignorant person thinks that they are wealthy because they refrain (from begging). You will recognise them by their signs (their humility and the signs of hardship). They do not persistently ask from people. (Because they do not ask from people at all, it is obvious that they are not the ones who persistently ask from others.) Whatever good (wealth) you spend, surely Allaah knows of it (He knows when, what, where and how you spend and will reward you accordingly).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

Helping the needy people of Allah: that is, there is great reward in giving to those who, being bound to the path of Allah and the work of His religion, are held back from moving about and earning a living, and who do not reveal their need to anyone, as were the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ. The People of the Bench (Ahl al-Suffah)

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