PART 1: THE PARABLE & SPIRIT OF CHARITY (Verses 261-274)

Q1: What is the central parable about charity in this passage?

A: The central parable compares those who spend in Allah’s way to a grain of corn that grows seven ears, with each ear containing a hundred grains. This illustrates how Allah multiplies the reward of charity manifold.

Arabic (Verse 2:261):
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Q2: What does the multiplication effect in this parable represent?

A: The parable isn’t about fixed arithmetic but demonstrates the spiritual and social multiplication of good deeds. A small act of sincere charity can have endless blessings, purifying wealth, solving social problems, and earning eternal reward.

Q3: What are the essential qualities of valid charity according to these verses?

A: Valid charity must have three key qualities:

• It must come from lawful earnings (ṭayyibāt)
• It should be given seeking only Allah’s pleasure, not for show or social status (verses 264-265)
• The intention and sincerity behind the gift matter more than its size

Q4: What nullifies the reward of charity?

A: Charity is nullified when followed by reminders of one’s generosity or hurtful words (verses 262, 264). Charity given for reputation is compared to a barren rock with no soil—it yields nothing.

Arabic (Verse 2:264):
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ

Q5: Who are the deserving recipients of charity?

A: The verses guide giving to those in real need while recognizing the dignity of recipients. True piety is demonstrated by giving despite one’s own love for wealth (verses 263, 267, 273).

Q6: What is the reward for those who give charity consistently?

A: According to verse 274, those who spend their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord. No fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.

Arabic (Verse 2:274):
الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

---

PART 2: THE PROHIBITION OF RIBA & LAWS OF DEBT (Verses 275-281)

Q7: How are those who consume usury (riba) described?

A: They are described as rising like those driven to madness by Satan’s touch. This graphic imagery depicts their moral insanity and lack of peace.

Arabic (Verse 2:275):
الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعُ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا

Q8: What is the core contrast between charity and usury?

A: Charity (Sadaqah) creates life, growth, and social bonds—it is “nourished” by Allah. Usury (Riba) is a parasitic practice that consumes wealth without productive effort, leading to societal decay. Allah “destroys” usury and nourishes charities.

Arabic (Verse 2:276):
يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ

Q9: Why is riba (usury) forbidden in Islam?

A: Riba is forbidden for three main reasons:

• It is inherently exploitative, extracting wealth from the needy without shared risk
• It is unjust—the lender profits regardless of the borrower’s success or failure, unlike fair trade (Bay’)
• It severs ties of mercy and creates a society based on greed and class hostility

Q10: What mercy is shown to debtors in financial hardship?

A: A grace period is mandated for a debtor in genuine hardship. Forgiving debt as charity is highly encouraged.

Arabic (Verse 2:280):
وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Q11: What practical measures are prescribed for dealing with debts?

A: Writing down debts with witnesses is prescribed to ensure justice and prevent disputes (referenced in verses 282-283, which conceptually link to this section).

Q12: What is the ultimate warning and motivation given at the end of this passage?

A: Verse 2:281 warns to fear the Day when all will be returned to Allah, when every soul will be compensated for what it earned without being wronged. This provides the ultimate motivation for choosing charity over usury and justice over greed.

Arabic (Verse 2:281):
وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

Q13: How do these verses connect to form a coherent system?

A: According to Maududi’s Tafheem, this passage forms a coherent economic and social system:

1. First, it inspires hearts with beautiful imagery and rewards of selfless spending (261-274)
2. Then, it outlaws the corrupt opposite—usury—exposing its evil and consequences (275-280)
3. Finally, it crowns the argument with the ultimate reminder of accountability on the Day of Judgment (281)

This makes faith in the Hereafter the bedrock of a just economic and social order.

Q14: What kind of society does this economic system aim to build?

A: This system seeks to build a society where:

• Wealth circulates with mercy
• The weak are supported
• Human dignity is upheld
• Wealth doesn’t concentrate in the hands of a few
• Exploitation is eliminated

This stands in stark contrast to systems that allow wealth concentration and exploitation of the vulnerable.