Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 280 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be]…

Al-Baqarah · 280/286

Translation Transliteration — Al-Baqarah

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ۝٢٨٠

🔤 Transliteration

Wa in kaana zoo `usratin fanaziratun ilaa maisarah; wa an tasaddaqoo khairul lakum in kuntum ta`lamoon

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.

🌐 Additional reference in Français

📜

Translation — Tafsir

Word Meanings:

Dhū 'Usrah (ذُو عُسْرَةٍ): A debtor who is in financial hardship and unable to repay the debt.
Fa-naẓiratun (فَنَظِرَةٌ): Granting a delay or respite, meaning to postpone the demand for repayment.
Maysarah (مَيْسَرَةٍ): A time of ease and financial capability, when the debtor can afford to pay.
Taṣaddaqū (تَصَدَّقُوا): To give charity, here meaning to forgo the debt entirely or partially as an act of kindness.

Explanation of the Verse:

This noble verse addresses a situation that can arise between creditors and debtors, teaching us a profound lesson in mercy, compassion, and social solidarity. When someone owes you money but is genuinely unable to repay it due to financial hardship, Allah commands you to grant them a period of respite until their circumstances improve and they become able to settle their debt. This is not merely a suggestion—it is a divine directive that prioritizes human dignity over financial gain.

The verse then elevates the standard even higher: if you choose to forgive the debt altogether—whether in full or in part—this is better for you. Why is it better? Because it purifies your wealth, softens your heart, and earns you immense reward from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever gives respite to a person in difficulty or forgives his debt, Allah will protect him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection." (Muslim)

This teaching reflects the beauty of Islam, which balances justice with mercy. While Islam encourages the fulfillment of financial obligations and the protection of rights, it equally emphasizes kindness toward those who are struggling. The verse concludes with the phrase "if you only knew"—meaning that the reward and blessing of such charity are far greater than any worldly repayment you might receive. Those who truly understand the value of Allah's reward would never hesitate to choose this path.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, imagine the peace that fills your heart when you relieve someone's burden. This verse invites you to be a source of hope in a world often marked by harshness. It teaches us that wealth is a trust from Allah, and how we use it—whether to oppress or to uplift—determines our rank with Him. By granting respite or forgiving debts, you are not losing; you are investing in your eternal future. The One who provides for all creation will never let your kindness go unrewarded. So, let this verse inspire you to embody mercy in your dealings, for indeed, Allah loves those who are compassionate to His servants.

🎧 Listen

📜 Verse 278-282 — Al-Baqarah

278يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.

279فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ

And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.

280وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.

281وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.

282يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ وَلَا يَأْبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن يَكْتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ ۚ فَلْيَكْتُبْ وَلْيُمْلِلِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ وَلَا يَبْخَسْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ فَإِن كَانَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ سَفِيهًا أَوْ ضَعِيفًا أَوْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَن يُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلْيُمْلِلْ وَلِيُّهُ بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ وَاسْتَشْهِدُوا شَهِيدَيْنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمْ ۖ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحْدَاهُمَا الْأُخْرَىٰ ۚ وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَاءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا ۚ وَلَا تَسْأَمُوا أَن تَكْتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا أَوْ كَبِيرًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَأَقْوَمُ لِلشَّهَادَةِ وَأَدْنَىٰ أَلَّا تَرْتَابُوا ۖ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكْتُبُوهَا ۗ وَأَشْهِدُوا إِذَا تَبَايَعْتُمْ ۚ وَلَا يُضَارَّ كَاتِبٌ وَلَا شَهِيدٌ ۚ وَإِن تَفْعَلُوا فَإِنَّهُ فُسُوقٌ بِكُمْ ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.

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Translation — Al-Baqarah 280

Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 280 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be]…

Surah Verse 280/286 — Al-Baqarah البقرة (Medinan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: Al-Baqarah Listen, Al-Baqarah Translation, Al-Baqarah mp3, Al-Baqarah pdf. Verse 278–282. English Meaning: Français.

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