2:177 Al-Baqara (The Cow)

يقول تعالى: { لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ } أي: ليس هذا هو البر المقصود من العباد, فيكون كثرة البحث فيه والجدال من العناء الذي ليس تحته إلا الشقاق والخلاف، وهذا نظير قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: \" ليس الشديد بالصرعة, إنما الشديد الذي يملك نفسه عند الغضب \" ونحو ذلك. { وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ } أي: بأنه إله واحد, موصوف بكل صفة كمال, منزه عن كل نقص. { وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ } وهو كل ما أخبر الله به في كتابه, أو أخبر به الرسول, مما يكون بعد الموت. { وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ } الذين وصفهم الله لنا في كتابه, ووصفهم رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم { وَالْكِتَابِ } أي: جنس الكتب التي أنزلها الله على رسوله, وأعظمها القرآن, فيؤمن بما تضمنه من الأخبار والأحكام، { وَالنَّبِيِّينَ } عموما, خصوصا خاتمهم وأفضلهم محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم. { وَآتَى الْمَالَ } وهو كل ما يتموله الإنسان من مال, قليلا كان أو كثيرا، أي: أعطى المال { عَلَى حُبِّهِ } أي: حب المال ، بيَّن به أن المال محبوب للنفوس, فلا يكاد يخرجه العبد. فمن أخرجه مع حبه له تقربا إلى الله تعالى, كان هذا برهانا لإيمانه، ومن إيتاء المال على حبه, أن يتصدق وهو صحيح شحيح, يأمل الغنى, ويخشى الفقر، وكذلك إذا كانت الصدقة عن قلة, كانت أفضل, لأنه في هذه الحال, يحب إمساكه, لما يتوهمه من العدم والفقر. وكذلك إخراج النفيس من المال, وما يحبه من ماله كما قال تعالى: { لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ } فكل هؤلاء ممن آتى المال على حبه. ثم ذكر المنفق عليهم, وهم أولى الناس ببرك وإحسانك. من الأقارب الذين تتوجع لمصابهم, وتفرح بسرورهم, الذين يتناصرون ويتعاقلون، فمن أحسن البر وأوفقه, تعاهد الأقارب بالإحسان المالي والقولي, على حسب قربهم وحاجتهم. ومن اليتامى الذين لا كاسب لهم, وليس لهم قوة يستغنون بها، وهذا من رحمته [تعالى] بالعباد, الدالة على أنه تعالى أرحم بهم من الوالد بولده، فالله قد أوصى العباد, وفرض عليهم في أموالهم, الإحسان إلى من فقد آباؤهم ليصيروا كمن لم يفقد والديه، ولأن الجزاء من جنس العمل فمن رحم يتيم غيره, رُحِمَ يتيمه. { وَالْمَسَاكِين } وهم الذين أسكنتهم الحاجة, وأذلهم الفقر فلهم حق على الأغنياء, بما يدفع مسكنتهم أو يخففها, بما يقدرون عليه, وبما يتيسر، { وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ } وهو الغريب المنقطع به في غير بلده، فحث الله عباده على إعطائه من المال, ما يعينه على سفره, لكونه مظنة الحاجة, وكثرة المصارف، فعلى من أنعم الله عليه بوطنه وراحته, وخوله من نعمته, أن يرحم أخاه الغريب, الذي بهذه الصفة, على حسب استطاعته, ولو بتزويده أو إعطائه آلة لسفره, أو دفع ما ينوبه من المظالم وغيرها. { وَالسَّائِلِينَ } أي: الذين تعرض لهم حاجة من الحوائج, توجب السؤال، كمن ابتلي بأرش جناية, أو ضريبة عليه من ولاة الأمور, أو يسأل الناس لتعمير المصالح العامة, كالمساجد, والمدارس, والقناطر, ونحو ذلك, فهذا له حق وإن كان غنيا { وَفِي الرِّقَابِ } فيدخل فيه العتق والإعانة عليه, وبذل مال للمكاتب ليوفي سيده, وفداء الأسرى عند الكفار أو عند الظلمة. { وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ } قد تقدم مرارا, أن الله تعالى يقرن بين الصلاة والزكاة, لكونهما أفضل العبادات, وأكمل القربات, عبادات قلبية, وبدنية, ومالية, وبهما يوزن الإيمان, ويعرف ما مع صاحبه من الإيقان. { وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا } والعهد: هو الالتزام بإلزام الله أو إلزام العبد لنفسه. فدخل في ذلك حقوق الله كلها, لكون الله ألزم بها عباده والتزموها, ودخلوا تحت عهدتها, ووجب عليهم أداؤها, وحقوق العباد, التي أوجبها الله عليهم, والحقوق التي التزمها العبد كالأيمان والنذور, ونحو ذلك. { وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ } أي: الفقر, لأن الفقير يحتاج إلى الصبر من وجوه كثيرة, لكونه يحصل له من الآلام القلبية والبدنية المستمرة ما لا يحصل لغيره. فإن تنعم الأغنياء بما لا يقدر عليه تألم، وإن جاع أو جاعت عياله تألم، وإن أكل طعاما غير موافق لهواه تألم، وإن عرى أو كاد تألم, وإن نظر إلى ما بين يديه وما يتوهمه من المستقبل الذي يستعد له تألم, وإن أصابه البرد الذي لا يقدر على دفعه تألم. فكل هذه ونحوها, مصائب, يؤمر بالصبر عليها, والاحتساب, ورجاء الثواب من الله عليها. { وَالضَّرَّاءِ } أي: المرض على اختلاف أنواعه, من حمى, وقروح, ورياح, ووجع عضو, حتى الضرس والإصبع ونحو ذلك, فإنه يحتاج إلى الصبر على ذلك؛ لأن النفس تضعف, والبدن يألم, وذلك في غاية المشقة على النفوس, خصوصا مع تطاول ذلك, فإنه يؤمر بالصبر, احتسابا لثواب الله [تعالى]. { وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ } أي: وقت القتال للأعداء المأمور بقتالهم, لأن الجلاد, يشق غاية المشقة على النفس, ويجزع الإنسان من القتل, أو الجراح أو الأسر, فاحتيج إلى الصبر في ذلك احتسابا, ورجاء لثواب الله [تعالى] الذي منه النصر والمعونة, التي وعدها الصابرين. { أُولَئِكَ } أي: المتصفون بما ذكر من العقائد الحسنة, والأعمال التي هي آثار الإيمان, وبرهانه ونوره, والأخلاق التي هي جمال الإنسان وحقيقة الإنسانية، فأولئك هم { الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا } في إيمانهم, لأن أعمالهم صدقت إيمانهم، { وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ } لأنهم تركوا المحظور, وفعلوا المأمور؛ لأن هذه الأمور مشتملة على كل خصال الخير, تضمنا ولزوما, لأن الوفاء بالعهد, يدخل فيه الدين كله، ولأن العبادات المنصوص عليها في هذه الآية أكبر العبادات، ومن قام بها, كان بما سواها أقوم, فهؤلاء هم الأبرار الصادقون المتقون. وقد علم ما رتب الله على هذه الأمور الثلاثة, من الثواب الدنيوي والأخروي, مما لا يمكن تفصيله في [مثل] هذا الموضع.

اشتملت هذه الآية الكريمة على جمل عظيمة وقواعد عميمة وعقيدة مستقيمة كما قال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أبي حدثنا عبيد بن هشام الحلبي حدثنا عبيد الله بن عمرو عن عامر بن شفي عن عبد الكريم عن مجاهد عن أبي ذر أنه سأل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما الإيمان؟ فتلا عليه "ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم" إلى آخر الآية قال: ثم سأله أيضا فتلاها عليه ثم سأله فقال: "إذا عملت حسنة أحبها قلبك وإذا عملت سيئة أبغضها قلبك" وهذا منقطع فإن مجاهدا لم يدرك أبا ذر فإنه مات قديما وقال المسعودي: حدثنا القاسم بن عبدالرحمن قال جاء رجل إلى أبي ذر فقال ما الإيمان؟ فقرأ عليه هذه الآية" ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم" حتى فرغ منها فقال الرجل ليس عن البر سألتك فقال أبو ذر. جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فسأله عما سألتني عنه فقرأ عليه هذه الآية فأبي أن يرضى كما أبيت أن ترضى فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأشار بيده "المؤمن إذا عمل حسنة سرته ورجا ثوابها وإذا عمل سيئة أحزنته وخاف عقابها" رواه ابن مردويه وهذا أيضا منقطع والله أعلم. وأما الكلام على تفسير هذه الآية فإن الله تعالى لما أمر المؤمنين أولا بالتوجه إلى بيت المقدس ثم حولهم إلى الكعبة شق ذلك على نفوس طائفة من أهل الكتاب وبعض المسلمين فأنزل الله تعالى بيان حكمته في ذلك وهو أن المراد إنما هو طاعة الله عز وجل وامتثال أوامره والتوجه حيثما وجه واتباع ما شرع فهذا هو البر والتقوى والإيمان الكامل وليس في لزوم التوجه إلى جهة من المشرق أو المغرب بر ولا طاعة إن لم يكن عن أمر الله وشرعه ولهذا قال "ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق والمغرب ولكن البر من آمن بالله واليوم الآخر" الآية كما قال في الأضاحي والهدايا لن ينال اللهَ لحومُها ولا دماؤها ولكن يناله التقوى منكم" وقال العوفي عن ابن عباس فى هذه الآية ليس البر أن تصلوا ولا تعملوا فهذا حين تحول من مكة إلى المدينة ونزلت الفرائض والحدود فأمر الله بالفرائض والعمل بها وروي عن الضحاك ومقاتل نحو ذلك وقال أبو العالية: كانت اليهود تقبل قبل المغرب وكانت النصارى تقبل قبل المشرق فقال الله تعالى "ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق والمغرب" يقول هذا كلام الإيمان وحقيقته العمل وروي عن الحسن والربيع بن أنس مثله. وقال مجاهد: ولكن البر ما ثبت في القلوب من طاعة الله عز وجل وقال الضحاك: ولكن البر والتقوى أن تؤدوا الفرائض على وجوهها وقال الثوري: "ولكن البر من آمن بالله" الآية قال هذه أنواع البر كلها وصدق رحمه الله فإن من اتصف بهذه الآية فقد دخل في عرى الإسلام كلها وأخـذ بمجامع الخير كله وهو الإيمان بالله وأنه لا إله إلا هو وصدق بوجود الملائكة الذين هم سفرة بين الله ورسله "والكتاب" وهو اسم جنس يشمل الكتب المنزلة من السماء على الأنبياء حتى ختمت بأشرفها وهو القرآن المهيمن على ما قبله من الكتب الذي انتهى إليه كل خير واشتمل على كل سعادة في الدنيا والآخرة ونسخ به كل ما سواه من الكتب قبله وآمن بأنبياء الله كلهم من أولهم إلى خاتمهم محمد صلوات الله وسلامه عليه وعليهم أجمعين وقوله "وآتى المال على حبه" أي أخرجه وهو محب له راغب فيه نص على ذلك ابن مسعود وسعيد بن جبير وغيرهما من السلف والخلف كما ثبت في الصحيحين من حديث أبي هريرة مرفوعا "أفضل الصدقة أن تصدق وأنت صحيح شحيح تأمل الغنى وتخشى الفقر". وقد روى الحكم في مستدركه من حديث شعبة والثوري عن منصور عن زبيد عن مرة عن ابن مسعود قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "وآتى المال على حبه أن تعطيه وأنت صحيح تأمل العيش وتخشى الفقر" ثم قال صحيح على شرط الشيخين ولم يخرجاه. " قلت" وقد رواه وكيع عن الأعمش وسفيان عن زبيد عن مرة عن ابن مسعود موقوفا وهو أصح والله أعلم. وقال تعالى "ويطعمون الطعام على حبه مسكينا ويتيما وأسيرا إنما نطعمكم لوجه الله لا نريد منكم جزاء ولا شكورا" وقال تعالى "لن تنالوا البر حتى تنفقوا مما تحبون" وقوله "ويؤثرون على أنفسهم ولو كان بهم خصاصة" نمط آخر أرفع من هذا وهو أنهم آثروا بما هم مضطرون إليه وهؤلاء أعطوا وأطعموا ما هم محبون له وقوله "ذوي القربى" وهم قرابات الرجل وهم أولى من أعطى من الصدقة كما ثبت فى الحديث "الصدقة على المساكين صدقة وعلى ذوي الرحم ثنتان صدقة وصلة فهم أولى الناس بك ببرك وإعطائك" وقد أمر الله تعالى بالإحسان إليهم في غير موضع من كتابه العزيز "واليتامى" هم الذين لا كاسب لهم وقد مات آباؤهم وهم ضعفاء صغار دون البلوغ والقدرة على التكسب وقد قال: عبد الرزاق أنبأنا معمر عن جويبر عن الضحاك عن النزال بن سبرة عن علي عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لا يُتْم بعد حلم" "والمساكين" وهم الذين لا يجدون ما يكفيهم في قوتهم وكسوتهم وسكناهم فيعطون ما تسد به حاجتهم وخلتهم وفي الصحيحين عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "ليس المسكين بهذا الطوَّاف الذي ترده التمرة والتمرتان واللقمة واللقمتان ولكن المسكين الذي لا يجد غنى يغنيه ولا يُفطن له فيتصدق عليه" "وابن السبيل" وهو المسافر المجتاز الذي قد فرغت نفقته فيعطى ما يوصله إلى بلده وكذا الذي يريد سفرا في طاعة فيعطى ما يكفيه في ذهابه وإيابه ويدخل في ذلك الضيف كما قال علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس أنه قال: ابن السبيل هو الضيف الذي ينزل بالمسلمين وكذا قال مجاهد وسعيد بن جبير وأبو جعفر الباقر والحسن وقتادة والضحاك والزهري والربيع بن أنس ومقاتل بن حيان "والسائلين" وهم الذين يتعرضون للطلب فيعطون من الزكوات والصدقات كما قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا وكيع وعبدالرحمن قال: حدثنا سفيان عم مصعب بن محمد عن يعلى بن أبي يحيى عن فاطمة بنت الحسين عن أبيها- قال عبدالرحمن حسين بن علي- قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "للسائل حق وإن جاء على فرس" رواه أبو داود "وفي الرقاب" وهم المكاتبون الذين لا يجدون ما يؤدونه في كتابتهم وسيأتي الكلام على كثير من هذه الأصناف في آية الصـدقات من براءة إن شاء الله تعالى. وقد قال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أبي حدثنا يحيى بن عبد الحميد حدثنا شريك عن أبي حمزة عن الشعبي حدثتني فاطمة بنت قيس أنها سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أفي المال حق سوى الزكاة؟ قالت فتلا علي "وآتى المال على حبه". ورواه ابن مردويه من حديث آدم بن إياس ويحيى بن عبد الحميد كلاهما عن شريك عن أبي حمزة عن الشعبي عن فاطمة بنت قيس قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "في المال حق سوى الزكاة" ثم قرأ ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق والمغرب - إلى قوله - وفي الرقاب" وأخرجه ابن ماجه والترمذي وضعف أبا حمزة ميمونا الأعور وقد رواه سيار لإسماعيل بن سالم عن الشعبي وقوله وأقام الصلاة أي وأتم أفعال الصلاة في أوقاتها بركوعها وسجودها وطمأنيتها وخشوعها على الوجه الشرعي المرضي وقوله "آتى الزكاة" يحتمل أن يكون المراد به زكاة النفس وتخليصها من الأخلاق الدنيئة الرذيلة كقوله "قد أفلح من زكاها وقد خاب من دساها" وقول موسى لفرعون: "هل لك إلى أن تزكى وأهديك إلى ربك فتخشى" وقوله تعالى "وويل للمشركين الذين لا يؤتون الزكاة" ويحتمل أن يكون المراد زكاة المال كما قاله سعيد بن جبير ومقاتل بن حيان ويكون المذكور من إعطاء هذه الجهات والأصناف المذكورين إنما هو التطوع والبر والصلة ولهذا تقدم في الحديث عن فاطمة بنت قيس "أن في المال حقا سوى الزكاة" والله أعلم. وقوله "والموفون بعهدهم إذا عاهدوا" كقوله "الذين يوفون بعهد الله ولا ينقضون الميثاق" وعكس هذه الصفة النفاق كما صح الحديث "آية المنافق ثلاث إذا حدث كذب وإذا وعد أخلف وإذا اؤتمن خان" وفي الحديث الآخر "إذا حدث كذب وإذا عاهد غدر وإذا خاصم فجر" وقوله "والصابرين في البأساء والضراء وحين البأس أي في حال الفقر وهو البأساء وفي حال المرض والأسقام وهو الضراء "وحين البأس" أي في حال القتال والتقاء الأعداء قاله ابن مسعود وابن عباس وأبو العالية ومرة الهمداني ومجاهد وسعيد بن جبير والحسن وقتادة والربيع بن أنس والسدي ومقاتل بن حيان وأبو مالك والضحاك وغيرهم وإنما نصب الصابرين على المدح والحث على الصبر في هذه الأحوال لشدته وصعوبته والله أعلم وهو المستعان وعليه التكلان: وقوله "أولئك الذين صدقوا" أي هؤلاء الذين اتصفوا بهذه الصفات هم الذين صدقوا في إيمانهم لأنهم حققوا الإيمان القلبي بالأقوال والأفعال فهؤلاء هم الذين صدقوا "وأولئك هم المتقون" لأنهم اتقوا المحارم وفعلوا الطاعات.

Al-Birr (Piety, Righteousness)

This Ayah contains many great wisdoms, encompassing rulings and correct beliefs.

As for the explanation of this Ayah, Allah first commanded the believers to face Bayt Al-Maqdis, and then to face the Ka`bah during the prayer. This change was difficult for some of the People of the Book, and even for some Muslims. Then Allah sent revelation which clarified the wisdom behind this command, that is, obedience to Allah, adhering to His commands, facing wherever He commands facing, and implementing whatever He legislates, that is the objective. This is Birr, Taqwa and complete faith. Facing the east or the west does not necessitate righteousness or obedience, unless it is legislated by Allah. This is why Allah said:

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الاٌّخِرِ

(It is not Birr that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Birr is the one who believes in Allah and the Last Day,)

Similarly, Allah said about the sacrifices:

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلاَ دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ

(It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him.) (22:37)

Abu Al-`Aliyah said, "The Jews used to face the west for their Qiblah, while the Christians used to face the east for their Qiblah. So Allah said:

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ

(It is not Birr that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers)) (2: 177) meaning, "this is faith, and its essence requires implementation." Similar was reported from Al-Hasan and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas. Ath-Thawri recited:

وَلَـكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِاللَّهِ

(but Birr is the one who believes in Allah,) and said that what follows are the types of Birr. He has said the truth. Certainly, those who acquire the qualities mentioned in the Ayah will have indeed embraced all aspects of Islam and implemented all types of righteousness; believing in Allah, that He is the only God worthy of worship, and believing in the angels the emissaries between Allah and His Messengers.

The `Books' are the Divinely revealed Books from Allah to the Prophets, which were finalized by the most honorable Book (the Qur'an). The Qur'an supercedes all previous Books, it mentions all types of righteousness, and the way to happiness in this life and the Hereafter. The Qur'an abrogates all previous Books and testfies to all of Allah's Prophets, from the first Prophet to the Final Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon them all.

Allah's statement:

وَءَاتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ

(...and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it,) refers to those who give money away while desiring it and loving it. It is recorded in the Sahihayn that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said:

«أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقةِ أَنْ تَصَدَّقَ وَأَنْتَ صَحِيحٌ شَحِيحٌ، تَأْمُلُ الْغِنَى وتَخْشَى الْفقْر»

(The best charity is when you give it away while still healthy and thrifty, hoping to get rich and fearing poverty.)

Allah said:

وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَيَتِيماً وَأَسِيراً - إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لاَ نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلاَ شُكُوراً

(And they give food, inspite of their love for it, to the Miskin (the poor), the orphan, and the captive (saying): "We feed you seeking Allah's Face only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.") (76:8, 9)

and:

لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ

(By no means shall you attain Birr unless you spend of that which you love.) (3:92) Allah's statement:

وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ

(...and give them preference over themselves even though they were in need of that) (59:9) refers to a higher category and status, as the people mentioned here give away what they need, while those mentioned in the previous Ayat give away what they covet (but not necessarily need).

Allah's statement:

ذَوِى الْقُرْبَى

(the kinsfolk) refers to man's relatives, who have more rights than anyone else to one's charity, as the Hadith supports:

«الصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى الْمَسَاكِينِ صَدَقَةٌ، وعَلَى ذِي الرَّحِمِ اثْنتَانِ: صَدَقَةٌ وَصِلَـةٌ، فَهُمْ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِكَ وَبِبِرِّكَ وَإِعْطَائِك»

(Sadaqah (i. e., charity) given to the poor is a charity, while the Sadaqah given to the relatives is both Sadaqah and Silah (nurturing relations), for they are the most deserving of you and your kindness and charity).

Allah has commanded kindness to the relatives in many places in the Qur'an.

وَالْيَتَـمَى

(to the orphans) The orphans are children who have none to look after them, having lost their fathers while they are still young, weak and unable to find their own sustenance since they have not reached the age of work and adolescence. `Abdur-Razzaq reported that `Ali said that the Prophet said:

وَالْمَسَـكِينُ

(and to Al-Masakin) The Miskin is the person who does not have enough food, clothing, or he has no dwelling. So the Miskin should be granted the provisions to sustain him enough so that he can acquire his needs. In the Sahihayn it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:

«لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي تَرُدُّه التَّمْرَةُ والتَّمْرَتَانِ، واللُّقْمَةُ واللُّقْمَتَانِ، وَلكِنِ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي لَا يَجِدُ غِنىً يُغْنِيه وَلَا يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتصَدَّقَ عَلَيْه»

(The Miskin is not the person who roams around, and whose need is met by one or two dates or one or two bites. Rather, the Miskin is he who does not have what is sufficient, and to whom the people do not pay attention and, thus, do not give him from the charity.)

وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ

(and to the wayfarer) is the needy traveler who runs out of money and should, thus, be granted whatever amount that helps him to go back to his land. Such is the case with whoever intends to go on a permissible journey, he is given what he needs for his journey and back. The guests are included in this category. `Ali bin Abu Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Ibn As-Sabil (wayfarer) is the guest who is hosted by Muslims." Furthermore, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Ja`far Al-Baqir, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, Az-Zuhri, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Muqatil bin Hayyan said similarly.

وَالسَّآئِلِينَ

(and to those who ask) refers to those who beg people and are thus given a part of the Zakah and general charity.

وَفِي الرِّقَابِ

(and to set servants free) These are the servants who seek to free themselves, but cannot find enough money to buy their freedom. We will mention several of these categories and types under the Tafsir of the Ayah on Sadaqah in Surat Bara'ah chapter 9 in the Qur'an, In sha' Allah.

Allah's statement:

وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَوةَ

(performs As-Salah (Iqamat-As-Salah)) means those who pray on time and give the prayer its due right; the bowing, prostration, and the necessary attention and humbleness required by Allah. Allah's statement:

وَءَاتَى الزَّكَوةَ

(and gives the Zakah) means the required charity (Zakah) due on one's money, as Sa`id bin Jubayr and Muqatil bin Hayyan have stated.

Allah's statement:

وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـهَدُواْ

(and who fulfill their covenant when they make it,)

is similar to:

الَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ يِنقُضُونَ الْمِيثَـقَ

(Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and break not the Mithaq (bond, treaty, covenant).) (13:20)

The opposite of this characteristic is hypocrisy. As found in a Hadith:

«آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَان»

(The signs of a hypocrite are three: if he speaks, he lies; if he promises, he breaks his promise; and if he is entrusted, he breaches the trust.)

In another version:

«إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ،وَإذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَر»

(If he speaks, he lies; if he vows, he breaks his vow; and if he disputes, he is lewd.)

Allah's statement:

وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِى الْبَأْسَآءِ والضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ

(. ..and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles).) means, during the time of meekness and ailment.

وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ

(...and at the time of fighting (during the battles).) means on the battlefield while facing the enemy, as Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Murrah Al-Hamdani, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, As-Suddi, Muqatil bin Hayyan, Abu Malik, Ad-Dahhak and others have stated.

And calling them the patient here, is a form of praise, because of the importance of patience in these circumstances, and the suffering and difficulties that accompany them. And Allah knows best, it is He Whom help is sought from, and upon Him we rely.

Allah's statement:

أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا

(Such are the people of the truth) means, whoever acquires these qualities, these are truthful in their faith. This is because they have achieved faith in the heart and realized it in deed and upon the tongue. So they are the truthful,

وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

(and they are Al-Muttaqun (the pious).) because they avoided the prohibitions and performed the acts of obedience.

It is not piety that you turn your faces in prayer to the East and to the West. This was revealed in response to the claim made by the Jews and the Christians to this effect. True piety that is the pious person al-birr is also read al-barr in the sense of al-bārr ‘the dutiful person’ is that of the one who believes in God and the Last Day and the angels and the Book that is the scriptures and the prophets and who gives of his substance however despite it being cherished by him to kinsmen and orphans and the needy and the traveller and beggars and for the setting free of slaves both the captive and the one to be manumitted by contract; and who observes prayer and pays the alms that are obligatory and what was given before alms were made obligatory in the way of charity; and those who fulfil their covenant when they have engaged in a covenant with God or with others those who endure with fortitude al-sābirīna is the accusative of laudation misfortune al-ba’sā’ is abject poverty hardship illness and peril at the height of a battle in the way of God; these described in the way mentioned are the ones who are truthful in their faith and in their claims to piety and these are the ones who are fearful of God.

From the beginning to this point, the Sarah al-Baqarah is reaching its half-way mark. Until now, the message was addressed mostly to its deniers since the truth of the Holy Qur'an was the first thing to be established. In that context, mention was made of those who accepted it and those who rejected it, which was followed by providing proof of Allah's Oneness and the Prophethood. Then, recounted were Allah's blessings and favours on the progeny of Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) right through the verse وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ رَ‌بُّهُ (2:124). Thenceforth started the issue of the Qiblah قبلہ which continued until it was resolved when the status of Safa صفاء and Marwah مروہ was identified as a sign from Allah (Verse 158).

Then, the affirmation of Allah's Oneness was rightfully followed by a refutation of the principles and subsidiaries of Shirk شرک ، the act of associating others with Allah. The approach this far is full of warning mostly given to the deniers of the message of the Qur'an; any reference to Muslims was only as a corollary.

The verses that follow contain nearly the other half of Sarah al-Baqarah where the primary purpose is to educate Muslims in the principles and the subsidiaries of their religion and any address to non-Muslims is by implication only. This subject which continues through the end of the Sarah has been unfolded by presenting and explaining the cardinal concept of birr بِرَّ‌, an umbrella word in Arabic used for what is good in the absolute sense and which combines in itself all acts of righteousness and obedience, inward or outward. So, when the verse begins, basic principles such as belief in the Book, spending of wealth in charity, fulfillment of promises and patience in distress have been stressed upon which, incidentally, include the basic principles behind all injunctions of the Holy Qur'an. The fact is that the articles of belief, the deeds in accordance with them and the morals are the essence of all religious injunctions while all details fall under these basics. Thus, the verse actually houses all these three major departments.

The chapters of 'Birr' بِرَّ‌ (the virtues)

From this point onwards, the reader will find details of this comprehensive attribute of birr بِرَّ‌, the essence of which is 'obedience'. Many injunctions, in unison with suitable time and place, have been taken up as needed. Some of these are about Equal Retaliation, Will, Fasting, Jihad, Hajj, Spending, Menstruation,’ Ila’ Oath, Divorce, Marriage, Post-divorce waiting period for women ('Iddah عِدَّہ ), Dower (Mahr مھر), while Jihad جہاد and Infaq انفاق (spending) in the way of Allah find re-stress, and some aspects of buying and selling and witnessing appear proportionate to their need. The finale is good tidings and the promise of mercy and forgiveness.

Commentary

When Baytullah بیت اللہ ، the House of Allah at Makkah was made the Qiblah قبلہ of the Muslims in place of Baytul-Maqdis بیت المقدس ، the Jews and Christians and the Mushrikin مشرکین ، who were much too eager to find fault with Islam and Muslims, were stirred and they started coming up with all sorts of objections against Islam and the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، detailed answers to which have been given in verses that have appeared earlier.

In the present verse, this debated issue has been closed in a unique manner when it was said that Faith cannot be restricted to the single aspect of turning to the West or the East when praying. These are directions in an absolute sense and thus cannot be turned into the very object of Faith to the total exclusion of other injunctions of the Shari'ah.

It is also possible that this is addressed to Jews, Christians and Muslims at the same time, the sense being that real birr (righteousness) and thawab ثواب (merit) lies in obedience to Allah Almighty. The direction in which He wants us to turn automatically becomes merit-worthy and correct. In itself, the East or the West, or any other direction or orientation has no importance or merit.

Instead, the real merit comes out of one's obedience to the injunctions of Allah, no matter what the direction be. Upto the time the command was to turn towards the Baytul-Maqdis بیت المقدس ، the obedience to that command was an act deserving of merit, and now, when the command to turn towards the House of Allah بیت اللہ at Makkah has come, obeying this command has become deserving of merit.

As stated earlier during the discussion of linkage of verses, a new sequence begins from this verse where the main body of the text comprises of teachings and instructions for Muslims with answers to antagonists appearing there by implication. This is why this particular verse has been identified as very comprehensive in presenting Islamic injunctions. What follows through the end of Surah al-Baqarah is an explanation or elaboration of this verse. Given below is a detailed account of what the verse presents as a gist of the articles of faith, the modes of Allah's worship, dealings with people, and the moral principles.

, Foremost are the articles of faith. These were covered under مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّـهِ : "That one believes in Allah." Then comes the act of following the articles of faith in one's deeds, that is, in Allah's worship and in dealings with people. Allah's worship is mentioned upto the end of وَآتَى الزَّکٰوۃ : "And pays the Zakah زَّكَاةَ ", then, dealings with people were covered under وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ : "And those who fulfill their promise'', concluding with the mention of morals under وَالصَّابِرِ‌ينَ "The patient". The final statement is that those who follow all these injunctions are true Muslims and they are the ones who can be called God-fearing.

While mentioning these injunctions, the verse has given a number of subtle but eloquent indications, for instance, the spending of wealth has been tied up with: ` ala hubbihi عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ which has three possible meanings. Firstly, the pronoun in 'hubbihi حُبِّهِ ' may refer to Allah Almighty, in which case, it would mean that in spending wealth one should not be guided by material motives or the desire to show off. Such spending should rather be done out of love for Allah Almighty, whose exalted majesty requires that this be done with perfectly un-alloyed sincerity (in the sense of the genuine ikhlas اخلاص of Arabic and not in the sense of some modern casual nicety).

The second possibility is that this pronoun refers to wealth, in which case, it would mean that, while spending in the way of Allah, only that part of one's wealth and possessions which one loves will be deserving of merit. Giving out throw-aways in the name of charity is no charity, barring the option of giving it to somebody who can use it, which is better than simply throwing things away.

The third possibility is that the pronoun refers to the infinitive آتَى: ata which emerges from the word ایتاءِ 'ita' of the text, in which case, the meaning could be that one should be fully satisfied in the heart with what one spends, not that hands spend and the heart aches.

Imam Al-Jassas (رح) has suggested the likelihood that all three meanings may be inclusive in the statement. It may be noted that, at this place, two forms of spending have been stated earlier which are other than Zakah زَّكَاةَ . Zakah زَّكَاةَ has been taken up after these two. Perhaps, the reason for this earlier mention could be the general negligence practiced in the liquidation of these rights on the assumption that the payment of Zakah زَّكَاةَ is sufficient.

This proves that financial obligations do not end at the simple payment of Zakah زَّكَاةَ . There are occasions, other than those of paying Zakah زَّكَاةَ , where spending out of one's wealth becomes obligatory and necessary (Jassas and Qurtubi). For instance, spending on your kin, when they have a valid excuse of not being able to earn their own living, is necessary; or there may be some needy person dying in poverty while you have already paid your Zakah زَّكَاةَ , then, it becomes obligatory for you to save his life by spending your wealth on the spot.

Similarly, building mosques and schools for religious education are all included in financial obligations. The difference is that Zakah زَّكَاةَ has a special law of its own and it is obligatory to take full care in paying the Zakah زَّكَاةَ in accordance with that law, under all conditions. While these other obligations depend on necessity and need; where needed, spending would become obligatory and where not needed, it will not be obligatory.

Special Note

A careful look at the text of the verse will show that those on whom wealth has to be spent, that is, the relatives, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer and those who ask, have all been described in one distinct manner, while the last head on the list has been introduced in another manner. It is clear that by adding فی : fi in وَفِي الرِّ‌قَابِ "And (spends) in (freeing) slaves" the purpose is to point out that the amount spent will not reach the hands of the slaves owned by somebody as their personal amount which they can spend at will. Instead, the amount has to be spent in buying slaves from their masters and setting them free. Hence, the translation: 'And (spends) in (freeing) slaves.' After that, the statement, أَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ "And observes the prayers and pays the Zakah زَّكَاةَ " appears in the same manner as everything else has been mentioned earlier. Now, in order to introduce the chapter of dealings, the style has been changed. And instead of using verbs, the nouns have been used. This denotes that one should have a continuing habit of fulfilling promises made. A chance fulfillment of a compact, something even a disbeliever or a sinner would accomplish once in a while is not enough to qualify a person for being included in the list.

The reason why the keeping of promises has been chosen to represent dealings with people is simple. A little thought would show that staying by a contract entered into or the fulfilling of a promise made, is the essence of all dealings, such as buying and selling, leasing, renting and partnership.

Similarly, while referring to the moral principles or the inner deeds, only sabr صبر (patience) is mentioned in the verse, because sabr صبر means to control the human self and guard it against evil. Even a little reflection can lead to the conclusion that sabr صبر is the very essence of all inner deeds; through it, high morals can be achieved and through it, low morals can be eliminated.

Yet another change in style made here concerns the use of the word, والصَّابِرِ‌ينَ and not والصَّابِرِ‌ونَ on the pattern of والْمُوفُونَ which appeared immediately earlier. Commentators call it نصب علی المدح : nasb ala l'madh which means that the word madh مدح (praise) is understood here and the word al-sabirin الصَّابِرِ‌ينَ is its object. This means that among the righteous, the sabirin صَّابِرِ‌ينَ (the patient) are worthy of special praise since sabr صبر gives one special power to perform righteous deeds.

In short, this verse holds in its fold important principles of all departments of Faith and its eloquent hints tell us the degree of importance of each one of them.

Piety is not that you turn your faces to the east and the west. Rather, piety is he who has faith in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets; who gives wealth despite lov- ing it to kinsfolk, orphans, the indigent, the son of the road, beggars, and slaves; and who per- forms the prayer and gives the alms tax; those who are loyal to their covenant when they make a covenant; those who are patient in misfortune, hardship, and moments of peril. It is they who have been truthful, and it is they who are the godwary. You have learned what the Shariah stipulates in terms of the outward meaning of this verse. Now listen to the inner meaning in the tongue of allusion and recognize the signs of the Haqiqah, for the Haqiqah is to the Shariah as the spirit is to the body. What is a body without a spirit? Such is the Shariah without the Haqiqah. The Shariah is the house of the servitors. All the people are gathered there. They keep it flourishing with service and worship. The Haqiqah is the house of the sanctuary. The recognizers are gathered there. They keep it flourishing with veneration and contemplation. The distance from service and worship to veneration and contemplation is the same as that from familiarity to love. Familiarity is the attribute of wage-earners, and love is the attribute of recognizers. The wage-earner brings all the varieties of piety mentioned in the verse. Then he says, “Oh, if the wind blows against it, or something of it is taken away, I will lose the wage for that.” The recognizer performs all of it according to its stipulations. Then he says, “Oh, if any of it remains, I will be held back from good fortune.” Any talk that keeps you back from the road-let it be unbelief or faith. Any picture that holds you back from the Friend-let it be ugly or beautiful. [DS 51] The wage-earner says, “My prayer, my fasting, my alms-giving, my patience in trials, my loyalty to covenants!” The recognizer says in the tongue of abasement, “Who am I to wear the cloak of loyalty to You, to have my eyes carry the burden of Your disloyalty, To have the spirit's scent come from my lips and speak of You, to grow an exalted branch in my heart and suffer Your trial?” [DS 933] The Pir of the Tariqah said, “How should I have known that the share of the wage-earner is ever- lasting paradise, and the hope of the recognizer is one glance? How should I have known that the wage-earner is wishing for houris and palaces, and the recognizer is inundated by light in the sea of face-to-face vision?” When he was dying, Abū ʿAlī Rūdbārī said to his sister, “O FāṬima, look, the doors of heaven have opened, the Gardens have been adorned! The maid-servants have gathered at the battlements and they are saying, 'Enjoy yourself, O Abū ʿAlī! All this was built for you!'” The tongue of Abū ʿAlī's state was answering, “O God, how could I be joyful with paradise and houris? If You give me one breath, from that breath I will build a paradise!” Your rightful due is that I look on no one else with the eye of love until I see You. * I will close my eyes and not open them until the day of visiting You, O exalted Friend! Piety is not that you turn your faces. Piety, in brief, is of two sorts: belief and deeds. Belief is to realize the roots, and deeds are to obtain the branches. Inescapably anyone who truly consolidates the roots and performs the stipulated branches is one of the pious. The station of the pious is the Abode of Settledness. That is in His words, “Surely the pious are in bliss” [82:13]. What the Lord of the Worlds clarifies in the course of this verse is exactly that belief and those deeds. He says, “he who has faith in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets.” Up to this point He clarifies belief and lays down the foundations of the roots, and from here on He begins the mention of the deeds. These He set down in two sorts: One sort is taking care of people: keeping company with them, caressing the far and the near, and giving comfort to them. Thus He says, “who gives wealth despite loving it to kinsfolk, orphans, the indigent, travelers, beggars, and slaves.” He begins first with relatives, for their rightful due takes precedence over the rightful due of others. This is why the Prophet said, “Charity will not be accepted if a womb relative is in need. ” Then come orphans, who are the most helpless of people and have no kin. Then the poor, who have no possessions, neither present nor absent. Then the wayfarers, who have nothing in hand, though they may have wealth elsewhere. Then the beg- gars, who are the poor, both those who speak truthfully and those who lie. Then slaves, who have masters to take care of them and attend to them. The Lord of the Worlds preserved the order of their need and worthiness. Whenever someone is more helpless, more needy, and more fitting for charity, He mentions him earlier, for his rightful due is greater. What a generous Lord, who keeps everyone in his own place and conveys to everyone what is fitting as needed! He says, “I govern My servants through My knowledge; surely of My servants I am aware, seeing [35:31].” The other sort of deeds is specific to the worshipful servant and does not go beyond him to anyone else, like performing the prayers, having truthfulness and self-purification in the deeds, coming back to loyalty in covenants, and having patience in trials. This is why the Lord of the Worlds says, “who performs the prayer” to His words “and moments of peril.” Then He says, “It is they who have been truthful, and it is they who are the godwary.” They are the ones who, in the half of piety that is belief, are truthful, and, in the half that is deeds, put godwariness into action. Truthfulness and godwariness are the perfection of faith. They are the ones concerning whom God says, “They are the faithful in truth” [8:4]. The most complete report from MuṣṬafā that is appropriate to this verse and brings together the varieties of piety-the part that is faith, the part that is deeds, and the part that is noble character traits-comes by way of Suwayd Ḥārith. He said, “I was sent as the seventh of seven from my tribe to God's Messenger. When we entered in upon him and spoke to him, he admired what he saw of our appearance and dress. He said, 'What are you?' “We said, 'We are faithful.' “God's Messenger smiled and said, 'Every word has a reality. What is the reality of your words and your faith.' “I said, 'Fifteen traits. We were commanded by your messengers to have faith in five of them.