Surah Al-Baqarah 2:273
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 273 of 286
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًۭا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
Translation
[Give] to those needy who are wholly occupied in God’s way and cannot travel in the land [for trade]. The unknowing might think them rich because of their self-restraint, but you will recognize them by their characteristic of not begging persistently. God is well aware of any good you give.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse guides us toward a deeply deserving group for our charity, described with profound and moving precision. Allah speaks directly to the believers, instructing them on where to direct their acts of giving.
A Noble Burden
The verse begins by directing us to "لِلْفُقَرَآءِ" (for the poor), immediately setting the focus on the recipients of our generosity. The description that follows is crucial: "ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ" (who have been restricted in the way of Allah). The passive verb "أُحْصِرُوا" means they *were held back* or *prevented*, highlighting that their hardship isn't due to idleness but circumstances beyond their control, often for a noble cause. Scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Razi explain this could refer to those wounded in battle, or more famously, the Ahl al-Suffah – companions who dedicated their lives to learning and jihad, having left their homes and wealth. Their restriction is for Allah's sake, elevating their status.
This condition is further clarified by "لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ" (they are unable to travel through the land for gain). The phrase "ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ" is a powerful idiom, a figurative expression (kinayah) for journeying to seek livelihood through trade or other means. Ibn Ashur highlights that this emphasizes their complete inability to earn, directly linked to their commitment to Allah's cause. Their hands are tied from worldly pursuits, leaving them genuinely dependent.
Dignity in Silence
Despite their severe need, these individuals maintain immense self-respect. "يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ" (the ignorant one thinks them rich because of their modesty). Here, "ٱلْجَاهِلُ" (the ignorant one) is not someone generally uneducated, but, as al-Razi explains, someone unaware of their true, hidden poverty. Their "ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ" (self-restraint and dignity) is so strong that it masks their destitution. They choose not to expose their need, making them difficult to identify.
Yet, "تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمْ" (You recognize them by their marks). This addresses anyone with discernment, contrasting them with the "ignorant one." "بِسِيمَٰهُمْ" (by their mark) refers to subtle signs. While some scholars mention physical signs of hardship, al-Razi suggests it could also be a spiritual aura of humility and devotion, a quiet dignity that is sensed rather than overtly displayed. It invites us to look deeper than superficial appearances.
The verse culminates this description with "لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًۭا" (they do not beg from people importunately or with insistence). The word "إِلْحَافًۭا" specifically means *insistent* or *pressing* asking. This phrasing, as discussed by al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi, is debated. Some understand it as negating *any* asking, making it a powerful affirmation of their complete self-restraint. If they don't even ask insistently, they certainly don't ask at all. Others see it as specifically condemning insistent begging, implying they might ask gently if absolutely necessary, but never with undue pressure. The former view aligns strongly with their earlier description of "تعفف," emphasizing their profound modesty and dignity. It highlights a virtue of remaining silent despite extreme need.
The Divine Promise
The verse concludes with "وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ" (And whatever good you spend, indeed Allah is Knowing of it). This repetition of the call to spend, as Ibn Ashur notes, emphasizes the continuous importance of charity. The closing statement, "فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ" (Allah is Knowing of it), is a powerful assurance. It's a figurative expression (kinayah) for divine recompense. Allah's knowledge here implies not just awareness, but a promise that every act of giving, especially to these noble and dignified poor, is fully seen, appreciated, and will be perfectly rewarded, as al-Razi explains. Nothing you give will be lost with Him.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Worldly Mirror
This verse, Surah al-Baqarah 2:273, guides us towards a specific type of deserving poor. It's a call from Allah to believers, urging them to direct their charity (sadaqat) to those who, despite their dire need, uphold immense dignity and self-respect.
Who These People Are
The verse describes "the poor who are restricted in the way of Allah, unable to travel through the land to earn a living." The immediate situation is an instruction to channel charitable giving. Scholars like Dr. Israr Ahmad and Sayyid Qutb explain that these were initially people like the *Ahl al-Suffah*, companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who dedicated themselves entirely to learning and serving Islam. They lived in the mosque, foregoing worldly pursuits like trade and travel to earn a livelihood. Their dedication to Allah's cause, whether through jihad, seeking knowledge, or spreading the faith, meant they had no time or means to earn. This applies to anyone who, in any era, dedicates themselves full-time to the service of the *Deen* (religion).
The Dignity of Need
A key characteristic of these individuals is their profound self-respect and modesty. The verse says: "The ignorant one assumes them to be rich because of their self-restraint (*ta'affuf*)." This *ta'affuf* means they refrain from asking, maintaining their dignity even in poverty. As Sayyid Qutb highlights, their outward demeanor might mislead those unaware of their true circumstances. However, "You will know them by their marks (*seemah*)." This *seemah* refers to subtle signs, perhaps an effect of hardship on their face, or a general air of humility, that a perceptive and sensitive person can recognize. They do not beg from people insistently, or at all (*la yas'alūna an-nāsa ilhāfan*), further emphasizing their noble character.
A Societal Mirror
This ayah holds a profound social and communal reflection. As Tazkirul Quran points out, it implies a silent division of labor within the *ummah* (community). Some are blessed with the ability to earn and accumulate wealth, while others dedicate their lives to serving the spiritual and intellectual needs of the community. Those with resources are encouraged to see supporting these dedicated individuals as a way of fulfilling their own missed opportunity to serve *Deen* directly. It’s a recognition that for the collective good, some must be freed from the burden of earning to focus solely on higher callings. Giving to such people might not bring public praise, but it is deeply cherished by Allah.
Your Role as a Giver
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "And whatever good you spend, indeed Allah is Knowing of it." This assures the giver that every act of charity, especially to these hidden gems of the community, is fully known and rewarded by Allah. It encourages us to seek out those who silently serve, to look beyond the obvious beggars, and to give with sincerity and respect, understanding that true generosity involves discerning genuine need hidden behind a veil of dignity.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:273 is discussed in 11 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:273 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.