The Quran

272

Preface

۞ لَيسَ عَلَيكَ هُداهُم وَلٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهدي مَن يَشاءُ ۗ وَما تُنفِقوا مِن خَيرٍ فَلِأَنفُسِكُم ۚ وَما تُنفِقونَ إِلَّا ابتِغاءَ وَجهِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَما تُنفِقوا مِن خَيرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيكُم وَأَنتُم لا تُظلَمونَ

Yusuf Ali

It is not required of thee (O Messenger., to set them on the right path¹, but God sets on the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls, and ye shall only do so seeking the “Face²” of God. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you, and ye shall not Be dealt with unjustly.

In connection with charity this means that we must relieve those really in need, whether they are good or bad, on the right path or not, Muslims or otherwise. It is not for us to judge in these matters. God will give light according to His wisdom. Incidentally it adds a further meaning to the command, “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). For compulsion may not only be by force, but by economic necessity. In matters of religion we must not even compel by a bribe of charity. The chief motive in charity should be God’s pleasure and our own Spiritual good. This was addressed in the first instance to Al Muṣṭafā in Medīna, but it is of universal application.
See note to 2:112, Wajh means literally: face, countenance; hence, favour, glory, Self, Presence.