Surah Al Imran ayat 180 Tafsir Quran 3:180

﴿وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ﴾
[ آل عمران: 180]

3:180 And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.

Let them not suppose read lā yahsabanna ‘let them not suppose’ or lā tahsabanna ‘do not suppose’ those who are niggardly with what God has given them of His bounty that is with His obligatory almsgiving that it their niggardliness is better for them khayrun lahum is the second direct object; the pronoun huwa ‘that it is’ is used to separate the two statements; the first direct object is bukhlahum ‘their niggardliness’ implicit before the relative clause alladhīna in the case of the reading tahsabanna sc. wa-lā tahsabanna bukhlahum ‘do not suppose their niggardliness…’ or before the pronoun huwa ‘it is’ in the case of the reading yahsabanna sc. wa-lā yahsabanna lladhīna…bukhlahum huwa khayran lahum ‘let them not suppose those who…that their niggardliness is better for them’; nay it is worse for them; what they were niggardly with namely the obligatory almsgiving of their wealth they shall have hung around their necks on the Day of Resurrection when he will have a snake around his neck biting viciously at him as reported in a hadīth; and to God belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth inheriting them after the annihilation of their inhabitants. And God is aware of what you do ta‘malūna also read ya‘malūna ‘they do’ and will requite you for it.

Nor should those who are unwilling to spend in divine service of what Allah conferred on them consider this tight fisted disposition an advantage to them. To the contrary, it is an injury to their interest and prejudice to their credit. They shall be fitted round their necks in Day of Judgement with the insignia of what they hoarded. To Allah shall be the inheritance of the realms of the Heavens and the Earth, and Allah is Alimun of all that you do

Comforting the Messenger of Allah ﷺ Allah said to His Prophet, وَلاَ يَحْزُنكَ الَّذِينَ يُسَـرِعُونَ فِى الْكُفْرِ ( And let not those grieve you who rush with haste to disbelieve ) 3:176. Because the Prophet was eager for people's benefit, he would become sad when the disbelievers would resort to defiance, rebellion and stubbornness.
Allah said, `Do not be saddened by this behavior,' إِنَّهُمْ لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَلاَّ يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظّاً فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ ( verily, not the least harm will they do to Allah.
It is Allah's will to give them no portion in the Hereafter. ) for He decided with His power and wisdom that they shall not acquire any share in the Hereafter, وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ ( For them there is a great torment. ) Allah said about the disbelievers, إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُاْ الْكُفْرَ بِالإِيمَـنِ ( Verily, those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith, ) by exchanging disbelief for faith, لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً ( not the least harm will they do to Allah. ) Rather, they will only harm themselves, وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ( For them, there is a painful torment. ) Allah said next, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لاًّنفُسِهِمْ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُواْ إِثْمَاً وَلَهْمُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ( And let not the disbelievers think that Our postponing their punishment is good for them.
We postpone the punishment only so that they may increase in sinfulness.
And for them is a disgraceful torment ) 3:178. This statement is similar to Allah's other statements, أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُمْ بِهِ مِن مَّالٍ وَبَنِينَ - نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِى الْخَيْرَتِ بَل لاَّ يَشْعُرُونَ ( Do they think that because We have given them abundant wealth and children, that We hasten unto them with good things.
Nay, but they perceive not. ) 23:55,56 and فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـذَا الْحَدِيثِ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِّنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an.
We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not. ) 68:44, and, وَلاَ تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَلُهُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُعَذِّبَهُمْ بِهَا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـفِرُونَ ( And let not their wealth or their children amaze you.
Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart (die ) while they are disbelievers) 9:85. Allah then said, مَّا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ( Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. ) 3:179, meaning, He allows a calamity to happen, and during this calamity His friend becomes known and His enemy exposed, the patient believer recognized and the sinful hypocrite revealed.
This Ayah refers to Uhud, since Allah tested the believers in that battle, thus making known the faith, endurance, patience, firmness and obedience to Allah and His Messenger that the believers had.
Allah exposed the hypocrites in their defiance, reverting from Jihad, and the treachery they committed against Allah and His Messenger .
This is why Allah said, مَّا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ( Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. ) Mujahid commented, "He distinguished between them during the day of Uhud." Qatadah said, "He distinguished between them in Jihad and Hijrah." Allah said next, وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ ( Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Unseen. ) meaning, you do not have access to Allah's knowledge of His creation so that you can distinguish between the believer and the hypocrite, except by the signs of each type that Allah uncovers.
Allah's statement, وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِى مِن رُّسُلِهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ( but Allah chooses of His Messengers whom He wills. ) is similar to another Ayah, عَـلِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلاَ يُظْهِرُ عَلَى غَيْبِهِ أَحَداً - إِلاَّ مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِن رَّسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَداً ( (He Alone is ) the All-Knower of the Unseen, and He reveals to none His Unseen.
Except to a Messenger ( from mankind ) whom He has chosen, and then He makes a band of watching guards ( angels ) to march before him and behind him.) 72:26,27.
Allah then said, فَـَامِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ( So believe in Allah and His Messengers. ) Obey Allah and His Messenger and adhere to the law that he legislated for you, وَإِن تُؤْمِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ( and if you believe and fear Allah, then for you there is a great reward. ) The Censure of Selfishness, and Warning Against it Allah said, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ( And let not those who are stingy with that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty (wealth ) think that it is good for them.
Nay, it will be worse for them.) 3:180 Therefore, the Ayah says that the miser should not think that collecting money will benefit him.
Rather, it will harm him in his religion and worldly affairs.
Allah mentions the money that the miser collected on the Day of Resurrection, سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ( the things that they stingy with shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. ) Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَنْ آتَاهُ اللهُ مَالًا فَلَمْ يُؤَدِّ زَكَاتَهُ، مُثِّلَ لَهُ شُجَاعًا أَقْرَعَ، لَهُ زَبِيبَتَانِ، يُطَوَّقُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، يَأْخُذُ بِلِهْزِمَتَيْهِ يَعْنِي بِشِدْقَيْهِ يَقُولُ: أَنَا مَالُكَ، أَنَا كَنْزُك»
( Whoever Allah makes wealthy and he does not pay the Zakah due on his wealth, then (on the Day of Resurrection ) his wealth will be made in the likeness of a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes.
The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and proclaim, `I am your wealth, I am your treasure.') The Prophet then recited the Ayah, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ( And let not those who are stingy with that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty think that it is good for them.
Nay, it will be worse for them ), until the end.
Al-Bukhari, but not Muslim, collected this Hadith using this chain of narration, Ibn Hibban also collected it in his Sahih. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said that the Prophet said,
«مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍلَا يُؤَدِّي زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا جُعِلَ لَهُ شُجَاعٌ أَقْرَعُ يَتْبَعُهُ، يَفِرُّ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ يَتْبَعُهُ، فَيَقُولُ: أَنَا كَنْزُك»
( Every person who does not pay the Zakah due on his wealth, will have his money made into the shape of a bald-headed, poisonous male snake who will follow him.
The person will run away from the snake, who will follow him and proclaim, `I am your treasure.' ) `Abdullah then recited the Ayah in Allah's Book that testifies to this fact, سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ( the things that they were stingy with shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. ) This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih." Allah's statement, وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ ( And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the Earth ), means, وَأَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ( and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees ) 57: 7.
Therefore, since all affairs are under Allah's control, then spend from your money so it will benefit you on the Day of Return, وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ( and Allah is Well-Acquainted with all that you do. ) with your intentions and what your hearts conceal.

(3:180) Those who are niggardly about what Allah has granted them out of His bounty think that niggardli ness is good for them; it is bad for them. What they were niggardly about will turn into a halter round their necks on the Day of Resur-rection. To Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth; *127 and Allah is well aware of what you do.

And let not those who [greedily] withhold meaning

*127).
Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to God alone.
Hence the possession and use of anything by man is purely transient.
For everyone will be dispossessed of his temporary belongings, and everything will ultimately return to and abide with God.
If anyone therefore spends openheartedly in the way of God out of his temporary possessions he does so from property which, ultimately, belongs to God alone.
Anyone who hoards his possessions and fails to spend them in the way of God is indeed stupid.

 

Comforting the Messenger of Allah ﷺ Allah said to His Prophet, وَلاَ يَحْزُنكَ الَّذِينَ يُسَـرِعُونَ فِى الْكُفْرِ ( And let not those grieve you who rush with haste to disbelieve ) 3:176. Because the Prophet was eager for people's benefit, he would become sad when the disbelievers would resort to defiance, rebellion and stubbornness.
Allah said, `Do not be saddened by this behavior,' إِنَّهُمْ لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَلاَّ يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظّاً فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ ( verily, not the least harm will they do to Allah.
It is Allah's will to give them no portion in the Hereafter. ) for He decided with His power and wisdom that they shall not acquire any share in the Hereafter, وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ ( For them there is a great torment. ) Allah said about the disbelievers, إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُاْ الْكُفْرَ بِالإِيمَـنِ ( Verily, those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith, ) by exchanging disbelief for faith, لَن يَضُرُّواْ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً ( not the least harm will they do to Allah. ) Rather, they will only harm themselves, وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ( For them, there is a painful torment. ) Allah said next, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لاًّنفُسِهِمْ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُواْ إِثْمَاً وَلَهْمُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ( And let not the disbelievers think that Our postponing their punishment is good for them.
We postpone the punishment only so that they may increase in sinfulness.
And for them is a disgraceful torment ) 3:178. This statement is similar to Allah's other statements, أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُمْ بِهِ مِن مَّالٍ وَبَنِينَ - نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِى الْخَيْرَتِ بَل لاَّ يَشْعُرُونَ ( Do they think that because We have given them abundant wealth and children, that We hasten unto them with good things.
Nay, but they perceive not. ) 23:55,56 and فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـذَا الْحَدِيثِ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِّنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an.
We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not. ) 68:44, and, وَلاَ تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَلُهُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُعَذِّبَهُمْ بِهَا فِى الدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَـفِرُونَ ( And let not their wealth or their children amaze you.
Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in this world, and that their souls shall depart (die ) while they are disbelievers) 9:85. Allah then said, مَّا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ( Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. ) 3:179, meaning, He allows a calamity to happen, and during this calamity His friend becomes known and His enemy exposed, the patient believer recognized and the sinful hypocrite revealed.
This Ayah refers to Uhud, since Allah tested the believers in that battle, thus making known the faith, endurance, patience, firmness and obedience to Allah and His Messenger that the believers had.
Allah exposed the hypocrites in their defiance, reverting from Jihad, and the treachery they committed against Allah and His Messenger .
This is why Allah said, مَّا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَمِيزَ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ ( Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. ) Mujahid commented, "He distinguished between them during the day of Uhud." Qatadah said, "He distinguished between them in Jihad and Hijrah." Allah said next, وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ ( Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Unseen. ) meaning, you do not have access to Allah's knowledge of His creation so that you can distinguish between the believer and the hypocrite, except by the signs of each type that Allah uncovers.
Allah's statement, وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِى مِن رُّسُلِهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ( but Allah chooses of His Messengers whom He wills. ) is similar to another Ayah, عَـلِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلاَ يُظْهِرُ عَلَى غَيْبِهِ أَحَداً - إِلاَّ مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِن رَّسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَداً ( (He Alone is ) the All-Knower of the Unseen, and He reveals to none His Unseen.
Except to a Messenger ( from mankind ) whom He has chosen, and then He makes a band of watching guards ( angels ) to march before him and behind him.) 72:26,27.
Allah then said, فَـَامِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ( So believe in Allah and His Messengers. ) Obey Allah and His Messenger and adhere to the law that he legislated for you, وَإِن تُؤْمِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ( and if you believe and fear Allah, then for you there is a great reward. ) The Censure of Selfishness, and Warning Against it Allah said, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ( And let not those who are stingy with that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty (wealth ) think that it is good for them.
Nay, it will be worse for them.) 3:180 Therefore, the Ayah says that the miser should not think that collecting money will benefit him.
Rather, it will harm him in his religion and worldly affairs.
Allah mentions the money that the miser collected on the Day of Resurrection, سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ( the things that they stingy with shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. ) Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «مَنْ آتَاهُ اللهُ مَالًا فَلَمْ يُؤَدِّ زَكَاتَهُ، مُثِّلَ لَهُ شُجَاعًا أَقْرَعَ، لَهُ زَبِيبَتَانِ، يُطَوَّقُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، يَأْخُذُ بِلِهْزِمَتَيْهِ يَعْنِي بِشِدْقَيْهِ يَقُولُ: أَنَا مَالُكَ، أَنَا كَنْزُك» ( Whoever Allah makes wealthy and he does not pay the Zakah due on his wealth, then (on the Day of Resurrection ) his wealth will be made in the likeness of a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes.
The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and proclaim, `I am your wealth, I am your treasure.') The Prophet then recited the Ayah, وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ( And let not those who are stingy with that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty think that it is good for them.
Nay, it will be worse for them ), until the end.
Al-Bukhari, but not Muslim, collected this Hadith using this chain of narration, Ibn Hibban also collected it in his Sahih. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said that the Prophet said, «مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍلَا يُؤَدِّي زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا جُعِلَ لَهُ شُجَاعٌ أَقْرَعُ يَتْبَعُهُ، يَفِرُّ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ يَتْبَعُهُ، فَيَقُولُ: أَنَا كَنْزُك» ( Every person who does not pay the Zakah due on his wealth, will have his money made into the shape of a bald-headed, poisonous male snake who will follow him.
The person will run away from the snake, who will follow him and proclaim, `I am your treasure.' ) `Abdullah then recited the Ayah in Allah's Book that testifies to this fact, سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ( the things that they were stingy with shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. ) This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih." Allah's statement, وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَاثُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ ( And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the Earth ), means, وَأَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ( and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees ) 57: 7.
Therefore, since all affairs are under Allah's control, then spend from your money so it will benefit you on the Day of Return, وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ( and Allah is Well-Acquainted with all that you do. ) with your intentions and what your hearts conceal.

Allah then mentioned the miserliness of the Jews and hypocrites in relation to that which Allah hath given them, saying: ( And let not those who hoard up that which Allah hath bestowed upon them of His bounty ) in terms of wealth ( think that it is better for them. Nay, it is worse for them. That which they hoard ) of wealth, i.e. gold and silver ( will be their collar on the Day of Resurrection ) will be used as a collar of fire around their necks. ( Allah’s is the heritage of the heavens and the earth ) the stores of the heavens and earth, i.e. rain and vegetation, are Allah’s; it is also said that this means: the dwellers of the heavens and earth will die and dominion shall be for Allah, the One, the Conqueror, ( and Allah is Informed of what ye do ) of acts of generosity or miserliness.

And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of His Bounty (Wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory Zakat). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Well-Acquainted with all that you do.

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