لِلْفُقَرَاء الَّذِينَ أُحصِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاء مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ لاَ يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ {273}

273. "(Charity is) for the poor who are restrained in the way of Allah, and are unable to move about in the land. The unaware consider them wealthy because of their restraint (from begging). You shall recognize them by their countenance - they do not beg people importunately. And whatever of good things you give, then Allah is All-Knowing of it."

Commentary:

In some commentary books such as: Tafsir-Kabir by Fakhr Razi: Majma'-ul-Bayan, and Tafsir-il-Gurtubi, it is cited that this verse has been revealed about the Companions of the Ledge. They were about four hundred people who had emigrated to Medina. Since they had not any house and familiars there, they used to live on a large platform in a corner of the Prophet's Mosque. They were always ready for (Jihad), struggle in the way of Allah.

Explanations:

1. There is a portion for the indigents in the wealth of the rich.

"(Charity is) for the poor..."

2. The martial-blow groups, devotees in force bases, shelter less emigrants and, on the whole, all those who are besieged in the way of Allah and have not the opportunity of trying to earn the living should be taken into necessary consideration. The scientific missions, diplomatic corps, and research centers are in the similar condition, too.

"(Charity is) for the poor who are restrained in the way of Allah, and are unable to move about in the land…."

3. Those who are able to earn their living by travelling about should not stay and abide in one land waiting for the charity of others.

"... and are unable to move about in the land "

4. The immaculate, pious and respectable poor ones are praised by Allah (s.w.t).

5. The gentle-looking and undistinguished needy ones have priority.

"... The unaware consider them wealthy because of their restraint (from begging). You shall recognize them by their countenance… "

6. They do not insist on begging from other people even when there comes forth a necessity for them.

"... they do not beg people importunately..."

7. The feature of the indigent persons is illustrated, in this verse; and in the final sentence, people are encouraged to spending out good things.

"... And whatever of good things you give, then Allah is All-Knowing of it."

8. It is not just that some people devote their selves and what they have in the cause of Allah while some others impose insularity even in giving charity in that way.

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الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلاَنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {274}

274."Those who spend their property by night and day, secretly and openly, for them shall be their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve."

Commentary:

In some commentary books, like Tafsir-us-Safi, Majma'-al-Bayan, Tafsir-al Qurtubi, Tafsir-al-Kabir by Fakhr Razi, it is cited that this verse has been revealed about Hadrat Ali (a). Once it happened that he had only four silver coins when he spent out in charity one coin in daytime, one coin at night, the third coin openly and the fourth coin hiddenly in the way of Allah.

"Those who spend their property by night and day, secretly and openly, for them shall be their reward with their Lord..."

But, in addition to the above mentioned occasion of revelation, the promise of this holy verse covers all those who act similarly to that. Such people neither scare of poverty in the world, because they believe in the promises of Allah and trust in Him, nor become grievous because of charity, since they are attentive to obtaining the pleasure of Allah and what the action of giving charity will bring forth for them in the Hereafter.

In another occasion in this very current Sura, [14] too, the givers of charity are stated about.

"... and no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve."

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[14] Sura Al-Baqarah, No.2, Verse, 262