DO NOT MAR YOUR ALMS-GIVING WITH REMINDER OF YOUR GENEROSITY...

DO NOT MAR YOUR ALMS-GIVING WITH REMINDER OF YOUR GENEROSITY, AND WITH INJURY - LIKE HIM WHO SPENDS HIS WEALTH FOR SHOWING TO PEOPLE (IN PRETENCE) AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IN ALLAH AND THE LAST DAY. SO HIS PARABLE IS THE PARABLE OF A PIECE OF STONE ON WHICH IS A (THIN LAYER OF) SOIL. (IN WHICH SOME SEEDS ARE SOWED) THEN A HEAVY RAIN FALLS UPON IT, LEAVING IT BARE. (WASHING IT OUT) THEY SHALL GAIN NOTHING FROM THEIR WORKS. AND ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE UNBELIEVING PEOPLE.

EVEN IF NO RAIN FALL ON IT, IS WATERED BY LIGHT MOISTURE, AND ALLAH SEES WHATEVER YOU DO. THE COMMENTARY TWO REMARKABLE PARABLES TO ILLUSTRATE THE STIMULI OF ALMS-GIVING (VERSE NO. 264) In this verse and the next one, it is mentioned that believers should not mar and spoil their charity by boasting of their generosity and making a show of their gifts and alms, nor should they follow it by injury of any kind to the recipient.

Two parables have been struk to make clear that false charity which is given for show and pretence is of no value in the sight of God, It is compared to a hard and smooth piece of stone, on which has fallen a little soil. Rain, that naturally renders fertile soil fruitful, in this case washes out the soil on the stone, leaving it bare - That is to say the hypocrite and insincere alms giver can drive nothing from it, and also from the whole lot of wealth that he has amassed.

This is because Allah knows well whatever we do, and He guides not the unbelieving people. VERSE NO. 265 In this one, another remarkable example is brought to minds. for those believers who stand opposite to the first pretender and hypocrite class of people. These are the faithful ones who spend their wealth sincerely for the cause of God, seeking His pleasure and wanting to strengthen their own soul and inner side: Their likeness is the likeness of a garden, on an elevated level or a hill - top.