Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:10
سُورَةُ المُنَافِقُونَ · Medinan · Verse 10 of 11
وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ قَرِيبٍۢ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
Translation
Give out of what We have provided for you, before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if You would only reprieve me for a little while, I would give in charity and become one of the righteous.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse from Surah Al-Munafiqoon opens with a direct command from Allah to believers, urging them to reflect deeply on their worldly possessions and the fleeting nature of life itself. It serves as a stark reminder, painting a vivid picture of ultimate regret.
The Source of Our Wealth
The command begins, "And spend from what We have provided you" (وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَٰكُم). The Arabic particle "مِن" (min), meaning "from," is crucial here, as scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain it indicates "partiality." Allah does not demand everything we possess, but a portion of it. This is a leniency from Allah, a blessing in itself. Furthermore, the word "رَزَقْنَٰكُم" (We have provided you) subtly reminds us that all wealth originates from Allah. As Ibn Ashur points out, spending from it is thus an act of gratitude and acknowledgment of His blessings.
The Imminent Deadline
The verse then sets a critical deadline: "before death comes to any of you" (مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ). Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi clarify that this isn't just about the moment of death itself, but "the signs and indications of death." It's that point when one's impending end becomes undeniably clear, and all hope for more time in this world vanishes. At this stage, acting upon good deeds, particularly giving charity, becomes physically impossible, and the opportunity for sincere repentance or gaining reward passes. The urgency is profound: act while you still can, before the window closes.
A Desperate Plea
The verse then dramatically shifts to the scene of a person facing death, filled with regret, who cries out, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a short term" (رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ). The word "لَوْلَا" (lawla) conveys a strong, desperate plea or passionate urging, as Ibn Ashur notes. The person doesn't ask for a long life, but merely "أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ" (a short term). This short request highlights the depth of their regret and the perceived insurmountable distance of even a brief delay, underscoring the preciousness of every moment.
The Regretted Actions
What does this dying person wish to do with that precious, short delay? "so I would give charity and be among the righteous" (فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ). Giving charity, "فَأَصَّدَّقَ", is mentioned first, highlighting its immense importance in the eyes of someone facing judgment. Following this, the desire to "be among the righteous," "وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ," implies a broader commitment to all good deeds, including acts like Hajj, fasting, and fulfilling other religious obligations, as mentioned by Ibn Abbas (cited by al-Jalalayn and al-Razi). The grammatical structure of "وأكن," discussed by Ibn Ashur, reinforces the sincerity: it strongly connects the requested delay directly to the firm intention of performing both charity and righteous deeds, as if to say, "If you grant me this brief moment, I *will* surely do these things." The Quran leaves the answer to this plea unsaid in this verse, making the moment of regret even more poignant and a powerful lesson for us.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:10 is discussed in 6 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-Munafiqun 63:10 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.