Tafseer of The Women · An-Nisaa · 4:39
And what [harm would come] upon them if they believed in Allah and the Last Day and spent out of what Allah provided for them? And Allah is ever, about them, Knowing.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of His statement: وَمَاذَا عَلَيْهِمْ لَوْ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَأَنْفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِهِمْ عَلِيمًا (And what would it have harmed them had they believed in Allah and the Last Day and spent of that with which Allah has provided them? And Allah is All-Knowing of them) (39).
Abū Jaʿfar said: The Exalted means by this: And what would lie upon these who spend their wealth in order to be seen by people (riyāʾ), while they neither believe in Allah nor in the Last Day — "had they believed in Allah and the Last Day," had they believed that Allah is One, without partner, and sincerely devoted oneness (tawḥīd) to Him, and had certainty regarding the resurrection after death, and believed that Allah will requite them on the Day of Resurrection for their deeds — "and spent of that with which Allah has provided them," that is to say: and paid the obligatory alms (zakāh) from their wealth with which Allah has provided them and which He has granted them, with cheerful hearts, and did not spend it in order to be seen by people, seeking renown and pride among those who disbelieve in Allah, and false praise among the people — "and Allah is," concerning these whose attribute He has described, namely that they spend their wealth out of hypocrisy (nifāq) in order to be seen by people, while they deny Allah and the Last Day — "All-Knowing," that is to say: possessing knowledge of them and of their deeds, and of what they intend and desire by their spending of the wealth that they spend, and that they thereby intend ostentation (riyāʾ), reputation (sumʿa), and praise among the people. And He watches over their deeds; nothing of that is hidden from Him, until He gives them their requital for it upon their return to Him.
