Basic HTML Version
scourge to overtake you, direct from Him or at our hands. Wait if you
will; we too are waiting.'
Say: 'Whether you give willingly or with reluctance, your offerings
shall not be accepted fromyou; for you are wickedmen.'
Nothing prevents their offerings from being accepted except that
they have denied Allah and His apostle. They pray half-heartedly and
grudge their contributions.
Let neither their riches nor their children rouse your envy. Through
these Allah seeks to punish them in this life, so that they shall be
unbelievers.
They swear by Allah that they are (believers) like you. Yet they are
not. They are afraid of you. If they could find a shelter or cave, or any
hiding-place, theywould run in frantic haste to seek refuge in it.
1
There are some among them who speak ill of you concerning the
distribution of alms. If a share is given them, they are contented: but if
they receive nothing, they grow resentful.
Would that they were satisfied with what Allah and HisApostle have
given them, and would say: 'Allah is all-sufficient for us. He will
provide for us from His own abundance, and so will His Apostle. To
Allah, we will turn.'
Alms shall be only for the poor and the needy and for those employed
to administer alms, and for those attracted to the faith, and for captives
and debtors and for the cause of Allah and the wayfarer. That is a duty
enjoined byAllah. He isWise, Knowing.
1. Muhammad.
9:54
9:58
9:59
167
REPENTANCE
THE QURAN