Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:180 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Ayah 180
Arabic Text
وَلَا يَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ يَبۡخَلُوۡنَ بِمَاۤ اٰتٰٮهُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنۡ فَضۡلِهٖ هُوَ خَيۡرًا لَّهُمۡؕ بَلۡ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمۡؕ سَيُطَوَّقُوۡنَ مَا بَخِلُوۡا بِهٖ يَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِؕ وَلِلّٰهِ مِيۡرَاثُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِؕ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ خَبِيۡرٌ
Transliteration
Wala yahsabanna allatheenayabkhaloona bima atahummu Allahu minfadlihi huwa khayran lahum bal huwa sharrun lahum sayutawwaqoonama bakhiloo bihi yawma alqiyamati walillahimeerathu assamawati wal-ardiwallahu bima taAAmaloona khabeer
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Ali Imran 3:180 delivers a stern warning against miserliness (bukhl), specifically condemning those who withhold what Allah has granted them from His bounty. According to Islamic scholarship, miserliness refers to not spending what is obligatory in Allah's way, particularly Zakat and charity obligations. The verse warns that such people should not think their hoarding benefits them - rather, it will be their ruin. The Quran describes a terrifying punishment where 'they shall be collared with what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection.' Authentic hadith from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explains this collar as a bald-headed poisonous snake with two black spots, encircling the miser's neck and declaring 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' The verse concludes with the profound reminder that 'to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth,' emphasizing that all wealth ultimately returns to Allah, making hoarding both futile and sinful. This teaching establishes that true security comes through generous spending in Allah's way, not through accumulating wealth.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 180 will be available soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 180
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the meaning of miserliness (bukhl) in Islamic terminology and why is it forbidden?
In Islamic terminology, miserliness (bukhl) refers to the act of not spending what is obligatory to spend in Allah's way, particularly Zakat and charitable obligations. According to the Shari'ah, this type of miserliness is forbidden (haram) and carries stern warnings of Hell. The Prophet ﷺ said that miserliness (shuhh) and faith (iman) can never coexist in the heart of a Muslim, emphasizing the spiritual corruption caused by excessive attachment to wealth.
❓What is the specific punishment described in Ali Imran 3:180 for those who withhold charity?
According to Ali Imran 3:180, those who withhold Allah's bounty 'shall be forced, on the Day of Judgment, to put on what they withheld, as iron-collars round their necks.' The Prophet ﷺ explained in authentic hadith that this means their wealth will become a bald-headed poisonous snake with two black spots over the eyes, encircling their neck and biting their cheeks while proclaiming, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.'
❓How does the Quran describe the futility of hoarding wealth in this verse?
The verse emphasizes the temporary nature of worldly wealth by stating 'to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth.' This means all wealth ultimately returns to Allah, making hoarding both futile and spiritually harmful. What people think saves them actually becomes their ruin, while only what is spent in Allah's way brings lasting benefit and protection from punishment.
❓What is the historical context of this verse's revelation according to Islamic scholars?
According to tafsir sources, this verse was revealed in the context of the Battle of Uhud when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called upon Muslims to contribute financially for war preparations. Some wealthy individuals, despite having means, withheld their wealth out of miserliness. The verse particularly addressed Jews who violated the Madinah Charter's financial obligations and made the blasphemous claim that 'Allah is poor and we are rich.'
❓How does this verse relate to Zakat obligations in Islam?
This verse directly relates to Zakat obligations, as confirmed by the authentic hadith where the Prophet ﷺ recited this verse after describing the punishment for those who don't pay Zakat. The Bukhari hadith specifically states that anyone Allah blessed with wealth who doesn't pay its due Zakat will have that wealth transformed into a poisonous snake on the Day of Resurrection, exactly matching the verse's warning about being 'collared' with withheld wealth.
❓What is the linguistic significance of the phrase 'sayutawwaquna' (shall be collared) in this verse?
The Arabic term 'sayutawwaquna' comes from 'tawq' meaning collar or necklace, but here it carries the ominous meaning of being forcibly encircled or shackled. The verse uses this powerful imagery to show how the very wealth that misers thought would protect them becomes their chains and torment. The linguistic choice emphasizes the inescapable nature of this punishment and the ironic reversal of what was considered security becoming bondage.
❓How does this verse distinguish between different types of spending and withholding?
The verse specifically targets withholding 'what Allah has given them of His bounty,' emphasizing that people are merely trustees of Allah's gifts, not absolute owners. The tafsir explains that forbidden miserliness applies to obligatory spending (wajib), while not spending in recommended (mustahabb) situations, though called miserliness in general terms, is not sinful but against the preferred choice (khilaf aula). The severity comes from refusing to give what Allah has made obligatory.
❓What does 'Allah is the inheritance of the heavens and earth' mean in practical terms for believers?
This phrase reminds believers that all wealth is temporary and ultimately belongs to Allah. In practical terms, it means believers should act as responsible trustees rather than possessive owners of their wealth. Since everything will return to Allah anyway, the wise course is to spend in His way to gain eternal reward rather than hoarding for temporary worldly security. This perspective transforms spending from loss to investment in the afterlife.
❓How does this verse address both worldly and spiritual consequences of miserliness?
The verse addresses both dimensions by stating miserliness is 'bad for them' in general, then specifying the afterlife punishment. Tafsir explains that miserliness harms both religious and worldly affairs - spiritually it corrupts the heart and blocks divine blessings, while worldly it often leads to social isolation, family discord, and ultimately the wealth being left to others anyway. The verse concludes with 'Allah is aware of what you do,' indicating comprehensive divine knowledge of both intentions and actions.
❓What guidance does this verse offer for achieving spiritual purification through wealth?
This verse teaches that spiritual purification comes through recognizing Allah as the true source of all bounty and responding with gratitude through generous giving. Rather than viewing charity as loss, believers should understand it as purification of both wealth and soul. The verse implies that those who spend in Allah's way transform their temporary worldly possessions into eternal spiritual treasure, while those who hoard corrupt both their wealth and their hearts, leading to punishment in both worlds.
Translations & Commentary
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