Quran 2 261 meaning charity seven hundred grains

SESSION 026 • AL-BAQARAH 2:261 • THEMATIC/NON-LINEAR

Wealth Planted for Good

Giving, generosity, reward, intention.

🌙 Today's Key Verse

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Maṡalullażīna yunfiqūna amwālahum fī sabīlillāhi kamaṡali ḥabbatin anbatat sab‘a sanābila fī kulli sunbulatim mi’atu ḥabbah. Wallāhu yuḍā‘ifu liman yasyā’. Wallāhu wāsi‘un ‘alīm.
AL-BAQARAH 2:261 — M. Pickthall: The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.
English Qur'an translation reference: M. Pickthall (public-domain translation). Arabic text and transliteration are identical to the Indonesian edition. Transliteration is a reading aid and does not replace tajwid or talaqqi.

📚 Tafsir Notes

The seed and multiplied reward

Ibn Kathir explains one grain producing seven ears, each with a hundred grains, as a picture of the great multiplication of reward for spending in Allah's cause.

Allah knows intention

The closing description—Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing—reminds us that an act is not measured by amount alone; Allah knows intention, circumstances, and sincerity.

Boundary

This parable of reward should not be converted into a mathematical promise of a specified monetary return in this world.

🤲 Authentic Hadith

Sahih Muslim 2588 teaches that charity does not diminish wealth, directing the believer toward Allah's blessing and recompense.

🌍 Factual Context

Fact from revelation: the verse uses the image of a seed to describe multiplication for spending in Allah's cause.

Lesson/analogy: a small good deed may create wider benefits, but worldly impact still needs evidence.

Boundary: reward in the Hereafter cannot be translated into a guaranteed financial return.

🪞 Reflection

Do I postpone giving until the amount feels impressive?

If nobody knew, would I still want to give?

Do I give as worship, or secretly demand a particular worldly return?

💡 Main Wisdom

Generosity teaches us to plant good without claiming control over its outcome. Our task is to give rightly and sincerely; multiplication belongs to Allah.

✅ Practical Action Today

Set aside one portion of wealth today for a clear benefit, without waiting for it to become large and without seeking praise.

🔗 Connection to the Journey

Session 025 is the previous step; this session opens a new theme with a verse not previously used as a main verse.

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