Expedition Think: Financial Guidance in Surah al-Baqarah

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The Quran begins with the prayer for guidance (Surah al-Fateha). Believers recite it daily in every contact prayer (الصَّلَاةَ). Immediately after Surah al-Fateha is Surah al-Baqarah, which begins with the statement that it is a guidance for the mutaqqin ( لِلْمُتَّقِينَ). The mutaqqin are those who ward off /protect themselves from something harmful, i.e. they are conscious of their duty to Allah, and therefore they strive to keep their duty to Allah, so that He saves them from The Fire of Hell. Among the salient characteristics of the mutaqqin is that they spend (يُنْفِقُونَ) from what they have been given.

Surah al-Baqarah is the longest surah in The Quran consisting of 40 ruku, which contain a total of 286 ayaat. It begins with the idea of spending, mentions spending in context across the surah, and then towards the end dedicates five ruku on financial matters: three on infaq, one on riba, and one on how to contract debts.

To learn the financial guidance in Surah al-Baqarah, the following is a study of the key words (أَنْفِقُوا (Spend) ; الْمَالَ (Wealth) ; الزَّكَاةَ (Zakat (tax)); الرِّبَا (Riba (usury / interest)); دَيْنٍ (Debt) ) across the surah.

أَنْفِقُوا (Spend)

Search result for trilateral root nūn fā qāf (ن ف ق) : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=nfq#(2:3:8). Notice that spending and hypocrisy share the same root words, and are opposed to each other. The Believer spends, while the hypocrite withholds. Some key learnings with ayat number:

Q2:3 the mutaqqin spend from what We have provided them

Q2:195 spend in the cause of Allah (context fighting to establish Deen)

Q2:215 they ask what they should spend: say that which you spend of good (مَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ) should go to: parents, near kindred / those close to you, orphans, needy, and the wayfarer.

Q2:219 they ask what they should spend: say, whatever is superfluous / left after meeting your needs

Q2:254 O ye who believe! spend of that wherewith We have provided you ere a day come when there will be no trafficking, nor friendship, nor intercession. The disbelievers, they are the wrong-doers (This ayat precedes the famous Ayat-ul-Kursi)

The three ruku on spending (35-37) begin from ayat 261 through 273 of Surah al-Baqarah (translation: Pickthall:

2:261 The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing

2:262 Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve

2:263 A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement

2:264 O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk

2:265 And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah's pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do

2:266 Would any of you like to have a garden of palm-trees and vines, with rivers flowing underneath it, with all kinds of fruit for him therein; and old age hath stricken him and he hath feeble offspring; and a fiery whirlwind striketh it and it is (all) consumed by fire. Thus Allah maketh plain His revelations unto you, in order that ye may give thought

2:267 O ye who believe! Spend of the good things which ye have earned, and of that which We bring forth from the earth for you, and seek not the bad (with intent) to spend thereof (in charity) when ye would not take it for yourselves save with disdain; and know that Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise

2:268 The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness. But Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing

2:269 He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding

2:270 Whatever alms ye spend or vow ye vow, lo! Allah knoweth it. Wrong-doers have no helpers

2:271 If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what ye do

2:272 The guiding of them is not thy duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guideth whom He will. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, it is for yourselves, when ye spend not save in search of Allah's Countenance; and whatsoever good thing ye spend, it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged

2:273 (Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it

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الْمَالَ (Wealth)

Search result for trilateral root nūn mīm wāw lām (م و ل) : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=mwl#(2:177:20) Some key learning with ayat number:

Q2:155 we will definitely be tested in our wealth, among other things

Q2:177 attaining birr (state of pristine purity) involves spending wealth, in spite of love for it, on 'those the near relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and (of) the wayfarer, and those who ask, and in freeing the necks (slaves)' ... 'pay zakat', ...

Q2:188 last ayat of the ruku on fasting commands that one should not eat up one's own wealth vainly, nor use it to bribe authorities so as to consume others' wealth sinfully

Q2:247 when Allah appointed Talut (Saul) as their King, the Bani Israel debated his appointment, as he had less wealth than them. Their Prophet informed them that Allah chooses whom He Wills, and had increased him in knowledge and physique.

Q2:261 the first ayat of the three ruku on spending describes spending in Allah's way through the example of a grain which grows seven ears of grain, each with one hundred grains, Allah giving manifold increase to whom He Wills (as reward in the Hereafter)

Q2:262 this manifold reward comes with the pre and post clauses

they spend for the cause of Allah
they do not follow their spending with reminders of their generosity, nor with taunts, insults, harm, injury ( ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنْفَقُوا مَنًّا وَلَا أَذًى )

Q2:264 clearly warns against rendering charity spending void by reminders and injury ( لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُمْ بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ )

Q2:265 presents the example of those who spend to please Allah, and to strengthen their nafs, is like a garden on a height, which does well whether it is struck by heavy rainstorms, or receives just light showers

Q2:274 those who spend from their wealth, night and day, secretly and openly, their reward is with their Lord, and they will neither fear nor grieve (on the Day of Recompense)

Q2:279 warning from Allah and His Messenger of War against those who consume Riba: leave Riba and you can keep your principal amount, neither wronging nor being wronged

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الزَّكَاةَ (Zakat (tax))

Search result for trilateral root zāy kāf wāw (ز ك و) : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=zkw#(2:177:35) Though generally translated in terms of purity, it actually means increase or growth, as made clear in Q9:103

Purity is associated with the body, while growth is associated with the Nafs. A bit on it at the bottom of a prior post: The Same Religion (الدِّينِ).

Q2:43 after narrating the story of Adam (Q2:30-39), Q2:40 onwards addresses the Bani Israel, ... ; Q2:43 also exhorts them to establish worship, pay zakat, and bow with those who bow.

Q2:83 the covenant with Bani Israel, which included the payment of zakat

Q2:110 the believers are being commanded to: establish prayer, pay zakat, and they are being assured that whatever good they send on for their nafs, they will find it with Allah. He beholds everything they do.

Q2:129 Abraham's prayer that Allah raise a messenger from among them (people of Makkah) who would 'shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow.'. ...

Q2:151 the ayat just before ends with '... Fear them not, but fear Me! - and so that I may complete My grace upon you, and that ye may be guided', and then Q2:151 reads: 'Even as We have sent unto you a messenger from among you, who reciteth unto you Our revelations and causeth you to grow, and teacheth you the Scripture and wisdom, and teacheth you that which ye knew not.'

Q2:174 the ayaat just before instruct to eat from the good things Allah has provided, and to render thanks (by sharing?), and list the only four things that Allah has prohibited from eating; and then Q2:174 reads: 'Lo! those who hide aught of the Scripture which Allah hath revealed and purchase a small gain therewith, they eat into their bellies nothing else than fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He make them grow. Theirs will be a painful doom.'

Q2:177 lists the beliefs and actions that help attain birr (state of pristine purity): among them is spending wealth on 'those the near relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and (of) the wayfarer, and those who ask, and in freeing the necks (slaves)', establishing prayer, and the payment of zakat

Q2:232 there is greater purity and growth for couples to choose to remain married when they complete the waiting period of their intention to divorce, and so they should not be prevented if they make this choice

Q2:277 the ayat just before is about usury not growing with Allah; then Q2:277 gives glad tidings to those who believe, do acts of reform, establish prayer, and pay zakat, that their reward is with their Lord, and on them shall be neither fear nor grief (on the Day of Judgement)

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الرِّبَا (Riba (usury / interest))

Search result for trilateral root rā bā wāw (ر ب و) : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=rbw#(2:275:3) Notice that the root also implies increase, swelling up, exceed, ...we can observe it in the use of the root (ر ب و) twice in Q2:276 (ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ || يُرْبِى):

Riba is essentially a flow of wealth from the poor to the rich. The last ayat of the third ruku on spending explains that spending is for the poor who don't beg. Then, the ruku on Riba (38) begins from ayat 274 through 281of Surah al-Baqarah:

2:274 Those who spend their wealth by night and day, by stealth and openly, verily their reward is with their Lord, and their shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve

2:275 Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein

2:276 Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty

2:277 Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve

2:278 O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers

2:279 And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged

2:280 And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know

2:281 And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged

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Usury makes the rich richer, and increases poverty in general. Spending on the poor improves their purchasing power, which benefits the economy as a whole. Muslims need to not only spend on the poor, but also give up usury, both on the personal and on the national level. Ideally, the interest-based banking system should be done away with, and replaced with the financial system decreed by Allah. We have to begin somewhere: an alternate solution to avoid interest-based loans in: A Muslim Financial System.

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دَيْنٍ (Debt)

Search result for trilateral root dāl yā nūn (د ي ن) : https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=dyn#(2:282:6). Notice that Deen (دِين) and Dayn (دَيْن) share the same root words. We believe that on the Day of Deen we will be recompensed for all that we spend in this world. After providing guidance for spending and the warnings against usury, ruku 39 instructs us regarding contracting debt. It consists of only two ayaat: 282 and 283 of Surah al-Baqarah. Ayat 282 is the longest ayat in The Quran:

2:282 O ye who believe! When ye contract a debt for a fixed term, record it in writing. Let a scribe record it in writing between you in (terms of) equity. No scribe should refuse to write as Allah hath taught him, so let him write, and let him who incurreth the debt dictate, and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord, and diminish naught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt is of low understanding, or weak, or unable himself to dictate, then let the guardian of his interests dictate in (terms of) equity. And call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not (at hand) then a man and two women, of such as ye approve as witnesses, so that if the one erreth (through forgetfulness) the other will remember. And the witnesses must not refuse when they are summoned. Be not averse to writing down (the contract) whether it be small or great, with (record of) the term thereof. That is more equitable in the sight of Allah and more sure for testimony, and the best way of avoiding doubt between you; save only in the case when it is actual merchandise which ye transfer among yourselves from hand to hand. In that case it is no sin for you if ye write it not. And have witnesses when ye sell one to another, and let no harm be done to scribe or witness. If ye do (harm to them) lo! it is a sin in you. Observe your duty to Allah. Allah is teaching you. And Allah is knower of all things

2:283 If ye be on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand (shall suffice). And if one of you entrusteth to another let him who is trusted deliver up that which is entrusted to him (according to the pact between them) and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord. Hide not testimony. He who hideth it, verily his heart is sinful. Allah is Aware of what ye do

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Earlier on in Surah al-Baqarah, we read about when Allah informed the angels that He was going to appoint a Khalifa for the Earth. The ayaat (Q2:230-239) briefly recount Adam's appointment and fall, and that Allah promises to send guidance, and whoever follows the guidance will neither fear nor grieve.

In The Quran, Surah Ta Ha, we learn that Adam was under a covenant, so even though Iblis seduced both Adam and his wife, yet the blame of Adam's disobedience is placed on him. The Torah delves into the Genesis story in greater detail, and mentions how the serpent managed to make Adam's wife go astray. It seems that females are biologically more vulnerable, more prone to being led astray, and thus the directive to take two female witnesses in debt contracts in lieu of one male witness. For more on it, please read: Female recall. It seems that Allah compensates women's weakness by reducing their responsibility, allowing for two women to share the burden of testimony. Debts are too serious a matter, and it is crucial that justice is done.

We have an appointment with Allah. The Day is called يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (Q1:4). We know from other ayaat of The Quran that everything we say and do is being recorded by honourable writers (Q82:11). Allah is teaching us how to maintain a proper record of whatever is owed to anyone, as well as what to do in exceptional situations when writing down the debt contract is not possible.

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References & Links

Screenshots of Quran ayaat from Quran.com

English translation by: Pickthall

Compare 50+ English translations at islamawakened.com

Arabic text & root words search from corpus.quran.com

Thursday 21 July 2022

Financial Guidance in Surah al-Baqarah

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