You shall give to your relatives their due and to the needy andto the wayfarers. You shall not be a spendthrift

You shall speak courteously to needy persons if you are waitingfor your Rabb's bounty and you lack the means to assist them.

They ask you what they should spend in charity. Say: "Whateveryou spend with a good heart, give it to parents, relatives,orphans, the helpless, and travellers in need. Whatever good youdo, Allah is aware of it.

That usury which you give to increase the wealth of people, doesnot increase with Allah: but the Zakah that you give to seek thepleasure of Allah, shall be repaid to you many times over.

Take sadaqat (this commanded sadaqat means - Zakat-ul-Mall) fromtheir wealth, so that they may thereby be cleansed and purified,and pray for them; for your prayer will give them comfort. Allahhears all and knows all.

There are some who have confessed their sins: they have mixedrecords of good and bad deeds. It is quite possible that Allahmay turn to them in mercy, for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Those who remained behind (did not join the Tabuk expedition)were delighted to sit inactive behind Allah's Rasool, and theyhated to make Jihad with their goods and their persons in thecause of Allah. They said to each other "Do not go forth in theheat." Say to them: "The fire of hell is much more severe inheat." If only they could understand!

Let them laugh a little; much will they weep as a recompense forwhat they have earned.

From now on, if Allah brings you among them and any of them askyour permission to go forth for Jihad, say: "You shall never beallowed to go forth with me nor fight an enemy in my company. Youchose to sit inactive on the first occasion, therefore you shallnow stay with those who stay behind."

You shall never offer funeral prayer for any of them who dies,nor shall you attend their burial, for they have denied Allah andHis Rasool and died while they were transgressors.

Let neither their wealth nor their children dazzle you. Throughthese Allah wants to punish them in this world and let theirsouls depart while they are still disbelievers.

Whenever a Surah is revealed, saying: " Believe in Allah and makeJihad along with His Rasool," capable people among them ask youfor exemption, saying: "Please leave us with those who are tostay at home."

They preferred to be with those who remain behind, as a result, aseal was set upon their hearts so that they do not understand.

Allah gives you another example of two men: one of them is aslave, the property of the other, and has no power over anything;and the other man is one on whom We have bestowed Our bounty,from which he freely spends secretly and openly. Ask them: "Arethose two men equal?" Praise be to Allah - most of them do notunderstand this simple thing.

Do not envy that Allah has given some of you more than theothers. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and womenwill be rewarded according to theirs. Ask Allah for His grace.Surely Allah has perfect knowledge of everything.

Surely neither their wealth nor their children will save theunbelievers from the wrath of Allah: they are the ones who willbecome the fuel for Hell fire.

Surely for those who are unbelievers, neither their wealth northeir children shall in the least protect them from the wrath ofAllah; they will be the inmates of hellfire and live thereinforever.

If you should die or get killed in the cause of Allah, Hisforgiveness and mercy will be far better than all the riches youcould gather.

Let neither their wealth nor their children dazzle you: inreality Allah intends to punish them with these things in thislife and that their souls may depart while they are stillunbelievers.

Let neither their wealth nor their children dazzle you. Throughthese Allah wants to punish them in this world and let theirsouls depart while they are still disbelievers.

Allah has made some of you excel in sustenance over the others;those who are so favored, do not give away their sustenance totheir slaves so as to make them their equals. How can you thinkthat Allah will allow other deities to be His equals? Would theyrefuse to acknowledge the favors of Allah?

The fact is that Qarun (Korah) was one of Musa's people, but herebelled against them. We had given him such treasures that theirvery keys were a heavy burden to a band of strong men. When hispeople said to him: "Do not exult, for Allah does not love theexultant.

Rather seek, by means of what Allah has given you, to attain theabode of the hereafter, while not neglecting your share in thisworld. Be good to others as Allah has been good to you, and donot seek mischief in the land, for Allah does not love themischief makers."

He replied: "All that I have been given is by virtue of theknowledge that I possess." Did he (Qarun) not know that Allah haddestroyed many people before, who were mightier in strength andgreater in riches than him? But the criminals are not called toaccount immediately for their sins.

One day he came out before his people in his worldly glitter.Those who sought the life of this world said: "Would that we hadthe like of Qarun's fortune! He is indeed a very lucky man."

But those who were endowed with knowledge said: "Alas for you!Better is the reward of Allah for him that has faith and doesgood deeds; but none shall attain it save those who endured withfortitude."

Then We caused the earth to swallow him, together with hisdwelling, and he had no host to help him against Allah; nor washe able to defend himself.

Now the same people who envied him for his lot the day before,began to say: "Alas! We had forgotten that it is indeed Allah Whoenlarges the provision for whom He wills and restricts it fromwhom He pleases. If Allah had not been gracious to us, He couldhave caused the earth to swallow us too. Alas! We did notremember that the disbelievers never attain felicity."

The people of the A'raf (heights) will call to certain men(famous personalities from among the inmates of Hell) whom theywill recognize by their features and say: "Have you found outthat neither your riches nor your arrogant pride have availedyou?

O believers! Indeed most of the (Jewish) rabbis and (Christian)priests misappropriate the wealth of people and hinder them fromthe way of Allah. To those who hoard gold and silver and do notspend it in the way of Allah, proclaim a painful punishment.

The Day will surely come when their treasure will be heated up inthe fire of hell, and their foreheads, sides and backs brandedwith it. They will be told: "This is the treasure which youhoarded. Now taste what you were hoarding!"

Behold, you are those who are being asked to give in the cause ofAllah. Yet some of you are stingy, whereas whoever is stingy toHis cause, is in fact stingy to himself. Allah is selfsufficient, it is you who are needy. If you turn away He willreplace you by some other folk; who will not be like you.

By no means! It will be the fire of hell,

eager to pluck out his skull,

it will be calling all those who try to escape and turn theirback,

who collected wealth and withheld it.

who amasses wealth and keeps on counting it.

He thinks that his wealth will insure his status forever!

By no means! He shall be thrown into Hotamah.

What will make you understand what Hotamah is?

It is the fire kindled to a blaze by Allah Himself.

The one which will rise right to the hearts,

closing in upon them from every side

in outstretched columns.

That usury which you give to increase the wealth of people, doesnot increase with Allah: but the Zakah that you give to seek thepleasure of Allah, shall be repaid to you many times over.

The life of men when they get to the age of puberty is tempted bydesire for women when they get married children, when they getchildren the hoarding of treasures of gold and silver, splendidhorses, cattle, and plantations. These are the comforts for thetransitory life of this world; the everlasting best comfort,however, is with Allah.

Say : "Shall I tell you of better things than these, with whichthe righteous will be rewarded by their Rabb? There will begardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will live foreverwith spouses of perfect chastity and the good pleasure of Allah.Allah is watching His servants very closely."

and you love wealth with all your hearts.

and surely he is violent in his love of this worldly wealth.

Is he not aware that when those who lie in the graves will beraised to life,

and that what is in their breasts will be made known,

surely their Rabb on that Day shall have full knowledge aboutthem.

Give orphans the property which belongs to them when they areable to handle it themselves and do not substitute your worthlessthings for their valuable ones; and do not cheat them of theirpossession through mixing it up with your own. For this wouldindeed be a great sin.

If you fear that you shall not be able to treat the orphans withfairness, then you should not marry the women with orphanchildren; marry other women of your choice: two, three or four.But if you fear that you will not be able to maintain justicebetween your wives, then marry only one or any slave girl you mayown. That will be more suitable , so that you may not deviatefrom the Right Way.

Do not entrust your property which Allah has made a means ofsupport for your family, to feebleminded people for investment inbusiness, however, provide such people with food and clothing andspeak to them nicely and give them good advice.

Observe the orphans through testing their abilities until theyreach the age of marriage, then if you find them capable of soundjudgment, hand over to them their property; and do not consume itwastefully in haste lest they grow up to demand it. If theguardian is well-off, he should not take compensation from theorphan's property, but if he is poor let him take a just andreasonable remuneration. When you hand over their property tothem, call in some witnesses; even though Allah is sufficient intaking the accountability.

Furthermore, not to go near the property of an orphan except inthe best way (to improve it). Until he attains maturity, givefull measure and just weight - We never charge a soul with morethan it can bear. Whenever you speak, be just, even if it affectsyour own relatives, and fulfill your covenant with Allah. Theseare the things which He has enjoined on you so that you may bemindful.

You shall not go near the property of an orphan, except with thegood intention of improving it, until he attains his maturity.You shall fulfill your pledges; surely you shall be heldaccountable for your pledges.

this world and the hereafter. They ask you about orphans. Tellthem: "It is best to deal with them justly; you may becomeco-partners with them, after all they are your brethren; Allahknows who means harm and also who means their welfare. If Allahhad wanted He could be hard on you in this matter, surely Allahis Mighty, Wise."

You shall not go near the property of an orphan, except with thegood intention of improving it, until he attains his maturity.You shall fulfill your pledges; surely you shall be heldaccountable for your pledges.

Do not entrust your property which Allah has made a means ofsupport for your family, to feebleminded people for investment inbusiness, however, provide such people with food and clothing andspeak to them nicely and give them good advice.

Observe the orphans through testing their abilities until theyreach the age of marriage, then if you find them capable of soundjudgment, hand over to them their property; and do not consume itwastefully in haste lest they grow up to demand it. If theguardian is well-off, he should not take compensation from theorphan's property, but if he is poor let him take a just andreasonable remuneration. When you hand over their property tothem, call in some witnesses; even though Allah is sufficient intaking the accountability.

O Prophet! Give them this parable. Once there were two men. To one of them We had given two gardens of grapevines surrounded with palm-trees and put between them land for cultivation.

Both of those gardens yielded abundant produce and did not fail to yield its best. We had even caused a river to flow between the two gardens.

He had abundant produce, he said to his companion while conversing with him: "I am richer than you and my clan is mightier than yours."

When, having thus wronged his soul, he entered his garden and said: "I do not think that this garden will ever perish!

Nor do I believe that the Hour of Judgment will ever come. Even if I am returned to my Rabb, I will surely find even a better place than this."

His companion replied while still conversing with him: "Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you from dust, from a drop of semen, and fashioned you into a perfect man?

As for myself, Allah is the One Who is my Rabb and I do not associate anyone with Him.

When you entered your garden why did you not say: `It is as Allah pleased, no one has power except Allah!' Though you see me poorer than yourself in wealth and children,

yet my Rabb may give me a garden better than yours, and may send down thunderbolts from sky upon your garden, turning it into a barren wasteland.

Or its' water may dry out and you may never be able to find it."

It so happened that all his fruit produce was destroyed and the vines tumbled down upon their trellises, so he wrung his hands with grief for all that he had spent on it. He cried: "I wish I had not associated anyone with my Rabb!"

He was so helpless that he could neither find anyone to help him beside Allah, nor could he himself avert that catastrophe

it was then that he realized that the real protection comes only from Allah. His is the best reward and His is the best requital.

The life of this world is but play and amusement. If you believeand follow the way of piety, He will grant you your rewards andwill not ask you to give up your possessions.

If He were to demand all of your possessions and press you forit, you would grow stingy, and He would bring out all yourmalice.

Behold, you are those who are being asked to give in the cause ofAllah. Yet some of you are stingy, whereas whoever is stingy toHis cause, is in fact stingy to himself. Allah is selfsufficient, it is you who are needy. If you turn away He willreplace you by some other folk; who will not be like you.

Therefore, offer Salah (prayer) to your Rabb and sacrifice.

Just think! What benefit will he get from his wealth, if hehimself is doomed.

Do not misappropriate one another's property unjustly, nor bribethe judges, in order to misappropriate a part of other people'sproperty, sinfully and knowingly.

O believers! Do not consume one another's wealth through unlawfulmeans; instead, do business with mutual consent; do not killyourselves by adopting unlawful means. Indeed Allah is Mercifulto you.

Anyone who commits such acts of aggression and injustice willsoon be thrown into hellfire, and this is very easy for Allah todo.

Those believers who stay at home - having no physical disability- are not equal to those who make Jihad (struggle) in the causeof Allah with their wealth and their persons. Allah has granted ahigher rank to those who make Jihad with their wealth and theirpersons than to those who stay at home. Though Allah has promiseda good reward for all, Allah has prepared a much richer rewardfor those who make Jihad for Him than for those who stay at home

- they have special higher ranks, forgiveness and mercy. Allah isForgiving, Merciful.

Those who believed (embraced Islam), migrated and made Jihad(exerted their utmost struggle) with their wealth and theirpersons in the cause of Allah; as well as those who gave themasylum and help, are indeed the protecting friends of oneanother. As to those who believed (embraced Islam) but did notemigrate (to Dar-ul-Islam, the Islamic State), you are under noobligation to protect them until they emigrate; yet it is yourobligation to help them in the matters of faith if they ask foryour help, except against a people with whom you have a treaty.Allah is observant of all your actions.

Those who believe (embrace Islam), leave their homes (migrate),and make Jihad with their wealth and persons in the cause ofAllah, have higher rank in the sight of Allah. It is they whowill be truly successful.

Their Rabb gives them good news of His mercy, His good pleasure,and paradise with everlasting bliss.

They will live therein forever. Surely it is Allah with Whom isthe mighty reward.

March forth whether you are equipped lightly or heavily and makeJihad (exert your utmost) in the way of Allah with your wealthand your persons. That is best for you if you understand.

Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day will never ask youfor exemption from fighting with their wealth and their persons.Allah is aware of those who are righteous.

But the Rasool and those who believe with him, make Jihad withtheir wealth and their persons. They are the ones who will haveall the goodness, and they are the ones who will be successful.

Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, tolive therein forever: that is the greatest achievement.

Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their persons andtheir wealth and in return has promised them paradise; they fightin the cause of Allah and slay and are slain. This is a truepromise which is binding on Him mentioned in Taurat (Torah), theInjeel (Gospel) and the Qur'an; and who is more true infulfilling his promise than Allah? Rejoice, therefore, in thebargain which you have made, and that is a mighty achievement.

The true believers are those who believe in Allah and His Rasool,then never doubt; and make Jihad (exert their efforts) with theirwealth and their persons in the cause of Allah. Such are the oneswho are truthful in their claim to be the believers.

O believers! Should I tell you of a bargain that will save youfrom a painful punishment?

It is to believe in Allah and His Rasool and strive your utmostin the cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That isbest for you, if you but knew it.

He will forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens beneathwhich rivers flow, and will lodge you in beautiful mansions inthe gardens of Eden, which will be a supreme achievement.

And yet another blessing which you love: help from Allah and aspeedy victory. So O Prophet, give this good news to thebelievers.

You shall certainly be tested with by means of your wealth andwith your persons; and you will certainly hear much that ishurtful from those who were given the Book before you, and fromthe mushrikin. But if you endure with patience and have fear ofAllah, this will surely be a proof of your firm determination.

Your wealth and your children are but a trial. It is Allah withWhom is the greatest reward.

It is neither your wealth nor your children which bring youcloser to Us even one jot, but those who believe and do gooddeeds; for them, there will be a double reward for their deedsand in high mansions shall they live in peace.

Let me deal with rejecters who are enjoying the comforts of thislife, so put up with them for a while.

We have in store for them heavy fetters and a blazing fire,

choking food and a painful punishment.

On the day when the earth with all it's mountains will be in aviolent commotion, and the mountains will crumble into heaps ofshifting sand.

Perish the hands of Abu Lahab! And perish he!

His wealth and whatever he earned did not avail him anything.

Soon he shall be burnt in a flaming fire (a pun on the meaning ofAbu Lahab, "father of flames"),

and his wife, the carrier of crackling fire wood,

shall have a rope of palm-leaf fibre around her neck.

that it is He Who gives wealth and property,

The mothers shall breast-feed their offspring for two whole yearsif the father wishes the breast-feeding to be completed. Thereasonable cost of their maintenance and clothing will be theresponsibility of the child's father. No one should be chargedwith more than they can afford. Neither a mother should be madeto suffer on account of her child nor a father on account of hischild. The father's heirs are under the same obligation. But ifwith mutual agreement they both decide to wean the child there isno blame on them. If you decide to have a foster-mother for youroffspring there is no blame on you provided you pay what you havepromised to pay in an honorable manner. Fear Allah and bewarethat Allah observes your actions.

It is Allah Who has revealed this Book (Al-Qur'an) with thetruth, and the Balance (to distinguish between right and wrong).What will make you realize that perhaps the hour of doom may befast approaching.

Furthermore, not to go near the property of an orphan except inthe best way (to improve it). Until he attains maturity, givefull measure and just weight - We never charge a soul with morethan it can bear. Whenever you speak, be just, even if it affectsyour own relatives, and fulfill your covenant with Allah. Theseare the things which He has enjoined on you so that you may bemindful.

You shall give full measure, when you measure, and weigh witheven scale; this is the best way and will prove to be the best inthe end.

Let those women, during their waiting period ('Iddat), live whereyou yourselves live according to your means. You shall not harassthem so as to make life intolerable for them. If they arepregnant, maintain them until their delivery: and if, after that,they suckle your offspring, compensate them and settle the matterof compensation with mutual consultation and in all fairness. Butif you cannot bear with each other then let another woman sucklethe baby for you.

Let the rich man give according to his means, and the poor mangive according to what Allah has given him. Allah does not chargea man with more than He has given him; soon Allah may bring easeafter hardship.

O Mankind! Eat of what is lawful and clean on the earth and donot follow the footsteps of Shaitan, surely he is your openenemy.

He enjoins you to commit evil and indecency and to say certainthings against Allah about which you have no knowledge.

When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has revealed." Theyreply: "Nay! We will follow what our forefathers practiced."Well! Even if their forefathers had no sense at all and lackedguidance?

The parable of those who reject faith is like the cattle which,call out to them as one may, hear nothing but a shout and a crysince they are unable to understand; they are deaf, dumb andblind, and understand nothing.

O believers! Eat the clean things which We have provided you andgive thanks to Allah, if you worship only Him.

As for those of the left hand - how unfortunate will be thepeople of the left hand!

They will be in the midst of scorching winds and in boilingwater:

in the shade of a pitch-black smoke,

neither cool nor refreshing.

For they lived in comfort before meeting this fate.

They persisted in heinous sins

When Our Judgement came to pass, We turned the cities upside downand rained down on them brimstones of baked clay, layer uponlayer,

specially marked by your Rabb. Such scourge is not far off fromthe wrongdoers!

As for those of you who die and leave widows behind, let themabstain from marriage for four months and ten days: when theyhave reached the end of this period, there is no blame on you forwhat they do for themselves in a decent manner. Allah is aware ofwhat you do.

There is no blame on you if you make a proposal of marriageduring their waiting period openly or keep it in your hearts.Allah knows that you will naturally cherish them in your hearts;however, be careful not to make any secret agreement, and if youwish to marry, speak to them in an honorable manner. Do notconfirm the marriage tie until the prescribed waiting periodexpires. You should know that Allah is aware of what is in yourhearts, so fear Him. Bear in mind that Allah is Forgiving,Forbearing.

There is no blame on you if you make a proposal of marriageduring their waiting period openly or keep it in your hearts.Allah knows that you will naturally cherish them in your hearts;however, be careful not to make any secret agreement, and if youwish to marry, speak to them in an honorable manner. Do notconfirm the marriage tie until the prescribed waiting periodexpires. You should know that Allah is aware of what is in yourhearts, so fear Him. Bear in mind that Allah is Forgiving,Forbearing.

Allah wishes to lighten your burdens because humans have beencreated weak by nature.

When you divorce women and they have reached the end of theirwaiting period ('Iddat) either allow them to stay with honor orlet them go with kindness; but you should not retain them to harmthem or to take undue advantage; if anyone does that he wrongshis own soul. Do not take Allah's revelations as a joke. Rememberthe favors of Allah upon you and the fact that He sent down theBook and Wisdom for your guidance. Fear Allah and know that Allahhas knowledge of everything.

The mothers shall breast-feed their offspring for two whole yearsif the father wishes the breast-feeding to be completed. Thereasonable cost of their maintenance and clothing will be theresponsibility of the child's father. No one should be chargedwith more than they can afford. Neither a mother should be madeto suffer on account of her child nor a father on account of hischild. The father's heirs are under the same obligation. But ifwith mutual agreement they both decide to wean the child there isno blame on them. If you decide to have a foster-mother for youroffspring there is no blame on you provided you pay what you havepromised to pay in an honorable manner. Fear Allah and bewarethat Allah observes your actions.

Allah has set an example to the unbelievers in the wife of Nuh(Noah) and the wife of Lut (Lot). They were married to two of Ourrighteous servants, but they betrayed them. In no way could theirhusbands protect them from Allah. Both of them were told: "Enterthe fire, along with those who enter."

and his wife, the carrier of crackling fire wood,

shall have a rope of palm-leaf fibre around her neck.

He is the one who created you from a single being and from thatbeing He created his mate, so that he might find comfort withher. When he covers her, she conceives a light burden and walksaround with it. When it grows heavy they both pray to Allah theirRabb saying: "If You will grant us a healthy child, we will betruly thankful."

We also blessed Zakariya, when he prayed to his Rabb, "O my Rabb!Do not let me remain childless even though You are the best ofinheritors.

We accepted his prayer and gave him Yahya (John), curing his wifefor him to bear a child. They were ever quick in emulating gooddeeds and called on Us with hope, fear, and submission.