Surah Al-Layl — Verse 5

Key Words and Phrases:

• أَعْطَىٰ (aʿṭā): Gave, bestowed, or spent — specifically referring to giving what is due for the sake of Allah, such as charity (zakah), voluntary alms (sadaqah), spending on family, or fulfilling obligatory payments like expiations (kaffarah).
• وَاتَّقَىٰ (wattaqā): Feared Allah, was mindful of Him, and guarded oneself against disobedience by following His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.

Explanation of the Verse:

After mentioning the varying paths of humanity, Allah—the Most High—now divides people into two categories based on their deeds and intentions. He says: *"As for the one who gives and is mindful of Allah"* — meaning, the one who spends from his wealth in obedience to Allah, fulfilling the rights due upon him, whether it be obligatory charity (zakah), supporting his family, or other acts of generosity, while simultaneously fearing Allah and refraining from what He has forbidden. This person also sincerely affirms the truth of *Lā ilāha illā Allāh* (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah) and believes in all that it entails—the Oneness of Allah, His promises, His warnings, and the reality of the Hereafter.

For such a person, Allah promises divine guidance and facilitation: He will smooth their path toward goodness, righteousness, and success in both this world and the next. Their giving and piety are not met with hardship but with ease, because when a servant turns to Allah with sincerity, Allah turns to them with mercy, opening doors of blessing and making their affairs easy.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, this verse carries a beautiful and encouraging message: the path to ease and success is not through accumulating wealth or chasing worldly gains, but through giving for the sake of Allah and living with taqwa (God-consciousness). When you open your hand to give—even a little—and guard your heart against sin, Allah does not leave you to struggle alone. He guides you, supports you, and makes your journey through life smoother. This is a promise from the One who never breaks His word. So take heart, and let this inspire you to be among those who give and are mindful of Allah, for their reward is with their Lord, and His facilitation is near.