Skip to content
Assabile
English

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 219

سورة البقرة، الآية ٢١٩

2:219 Juz 2 Hizb 4 Page 34 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 2:219

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ ٱلْعَفْوَ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ۝٢١٩

Transliteration

yasalūnaka ʿani l-khamri wal-maysiri qul fīhimā ith'mun kabīrun wamanāfiʿu lilnnāsi wa-ith'muhumā akbaru min nafʿihimā wayasalūnaka mādhā yunfiqūna quli l-ʿafwa kadhālika yubayyinu l-lahu lakumu l-āyāti laʿallakum tatafakkarūna

Translation

They ask you about wine80 and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allāh makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought

Notes

[80] The word "khamr" (wine) includes all intoxicants. The final prohibition is given in 5:90-91.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 219 of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219), a Medinan surah, is in juz 2, on page 34 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 69 reciters.

Listen to verse 219 of Surah Al-Baqarah

75 recitations by 69 reciters: pick one and it plays in the player.

All voices (75)

Tafsir of verse 219

Al-Mukhtasar

O Prophet! Your Companions ask you about wine (which refers to anything that impairs the mind or intoxicates it), with respect to the legal aspects of drinking, selling and purchasing it. They also ask you about gambling (which refers to wealth taken in a competition between two people in which both contribute to the winning total). Say in response to them: They both have many spiritual and material harms, such as loss of intellect and wealth and the creation of hatred and enmity. On the other hand, there are a few benefits, such as financial reward for the winner of a bet. However, the harm and sin resulting from them is greater than the benefit; so, a logical person should avoid such actions. This statement of Allah lays the foundation for the prohibition of wine. They also ask you, O Prophet, about the amount that they should spend in charity. Say in reply to them: Spend whatever is easy and in excess of your needs. With such clear explanations, Allah describes the sacred law to you so that you may reflect. Initially, this was the law regarding charity, but later Allah established the obligation of Zakat, which requires paying a set amount on certain possessions, if one has owned such possessions for a particular period of time.

Tafsir of the whole Surah Al-Baqarah

Other translations of verse 219

They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “In both, there is a great sin, and some benefits for people, but their sin is far greater than their benefit113.” They ask you what they should spend. Say, “The surplus”. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may contemplate –

Notes

[113] The provision of this verse concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling has been abrogated by the verse 5:90.

They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling.54 Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allâh makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought." 55

Notes

[54] (V.2:219):
a) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Whoever takes an oath in which he (forgetfully), mentions Lat and ‘Uzza (i.e. two idols of Arab pagans) should say: "La ilaha illallâh" (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and whoever says to his companion, ‘Come along, let us gamble,’ must give alms (as an expiation)." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.6, Hadîth No.383).
b) Narrated Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما: Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Whoever drinks alcoholic drinks in this world and does not repent (i.e. stops drinking alcoholic drinks, and begs Allâh to forgive him before his death) will be deprived of it in the Hereafter." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.7, Hadîth No 481).
c) Narrated Anas رضي الله عنه: I heard from Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم a narration which none other than I will narrate to you. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "From among the portents of the Hour are the following: General ignorance (in religious affairs) will prevail, (religious) knowledge will decrease, illegal sexual intercourse will prevail, alcoholic drinks will be drunk (in abundance), men will decrease and women will increase so much so that for every fifty women there will be one man to look after them." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.7, Hadîth No. 483)
d) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "An adulterer-fornicator, at the time he is committing illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer; and a person, at the time of drinking an alcoholic drink is not a believer; and a thief, at the time of stealing, is not a believer."
Ibn Shihâb said: ‘Abdul-Mâlik bin Abî-Bakr bin ‘Abdur-Rahmân bin Al-Hârith bin Hishâm told me that Abu Bakr used to narrate that narration to him on the authority of Abu Hurairah. He used to add that Abu Bakr used to mention, besides the above cases: "And he who robs (takes illegally something by force) while the people are looking at him, is not a believer at the time he is robbing (taking it)." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.7, Hadîth No. 484).
[55] (V.2:219) The provision of this Verse concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling has been abrogated by the Verse 5:90.

They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect.

They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-

They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder

They ask you concerning wine and games of chance. Say, "In (both) is great vice, and profits for mankind; and the vice in them is greater than the profit." And they ask you (concerning) what (things) they should expend. Say, "Liberality." (Or: clemency) Thus, Allah makes evident the signs to you, that possibly you would meditate

Verse 219 word by word

  1. يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ yasalūnaka They ask you س أ ل
  2. عَنِ ʿani about
  3. ٱلْخَمْرِ l-khamri [the] intoxicants خ م ر
  4. وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ wal-maysiri and [the] games of chance ي س ر
  5. قُلْ qul Say ق و ل
  6. فِيهِمَآ fīhimā In both of them
  7. إِثْمٌ ith'mun (is) a sin أ ث م
  8. كَبِيرٌ kabīrun great ك ب ر
  9. وَمَنَٰفِعُ wamanāfiʿu and (some) benefits ن ف ع
  10. لِلنَّاسِ lilnnāsi for [the] people أ ن س
  11. وَإِثْمُهُمَآ wa-ith'muhumā But sin of both of them أ ث م
  12. أَكْبَرُ akbaru (is) greater ك ب ر
  13. مِن min than
  14. نَّفْعِهِمَا nafʿihimā (the) benefit of (the) two ن ف ع
  15. وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ wayasalūnaka And they ask you س أ ل
  16. مَاذَا mādhā what
  17. يُنفِقُونَ yunfiqūna they (should) spend ن ف ق
  18. قُلِ quli Say ق و ل
  19. ٱلْعَفْوَ l-ʿafwa The surplus ع ف و
  20. كَذَٰلِكَ kadhālika Thus
  21. يُبَيِّنُ yubayyinu makes clear ب ي ن
  22. ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
  23. لَكُمُ lakumu to you
  24. ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ l-āyāti [the] Verses أ ي ي
  25. لَعَلَّكُمْ laʿallakum so that you may
  26. تَتَفَكَّرُونَ tatafakkarūna ponder ف ك ر

Hadiths that cite this verse

Differing grades Sunan Abu Dawud 3670

When the prohibition of wine (was yet to be) declared, Umar said: O Allah, give us a satisfactory explanation about wine. So the following verse of Surat al-Baqarah revealed; "They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: In them is great sin...." Umar was then called and it was recited to him…

اللَّهُمَّ بَيِّنْ لَنَا فِي الْخَمْرِ بَيَانًا شِفَاءً فَنَزَلَتِ الآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي الْبَقَرَةِ ‏‏{‏ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ ‏}‏ الآيَةَ قَالَ فَدُعِيَ عُمَرُ…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 3 other versions

Good chain (hasan) Sunan Abu Dawud 3672

The Quranic verse :”O ye who believe ,approach not prayer with minds befogged until you can understand all they say,” and the verse: “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: In them is great sin and some profit for men ,” were repeated by the verse in Surat al-Ma’idah: ”O ye who believe…

وَ ‏‏{‏ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ ‏}‏ نَسَخَتْهُمَا الَّتِي فِي الْمَائِدَةِ ‏‏{‏ إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنْصَابُ ‏}‏ الآيَةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās

Other hadiths (2)

Verses related to verse 219

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • Al-Baqarah 2:242

    كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

    Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses [i.e., laws] that you might use reason.

  • Al-Baqarah 2:266

    أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُۥ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَأَصَابَهُ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَلَهُۥ ذُرِّيَّةٌ ضُعَفَآءُ فَأَصَابَهَآ إِعْصَارٌ فِيهِ نَارٌ فَٱحْتَرَقَتْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

    Would one of you like to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak [i.e., immature] offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus does Allāh make clear to you [His] verses that you might give thought.

  • An-Nur 24:61

    لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَن تَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ ءَابَآئِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ إِخْوَٰنِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَخَوَٰتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَعْمَٰمِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ عَمَّٰتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَخْوَٰلِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ خَٰلَٰتِكُمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكْتُم مَّفَاتِحَهُۥٓ أَوْ صَدِيقِكُمْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَأْكُلُوا۟ جَمِيعًا أَوْ أَشْتَاتًا فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُم بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَٰرَكَةً طَيِّبَةً كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

    There is not upon the blind [any] constraint nor upon the lame constraint nor upon the ill constraint nor upon yourselves when you eat from your [own] houses or the houses of your fathers or the houses of your mothers or the houses of your brothers or the houses of your sisters or the houses of your father's brothers or the houses of your father's sisters or the houses of your mother's brothers or the houses of your mother's sisters or [from houses] whose keys you possess or [from the house] of your friend. There is no blame upon you whether you eat together or separately. But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon each other - a greeting from Allāh, blessed and good. Thus does Allāh make clear to you the verses [of ordinance] that you may understand.

  • An-Nur 24:58

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِيَسْتَـْٔذِنكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا۟ ٱلْحُلُمَ مِنكُمْ ثَلَٰثَ مَرَّٰتٍ مِّن قَبْلِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنۢ بَعْدِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْعِشَآءِ ثَلَٰثُ عَوْرَٰتٍ لَّكُمْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌۢ بَعْدَهُنَّ طَوَّٰفُونَ عَلَيْكُم بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

    O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allāh make clear to you the verses [i.e., His ordinances]; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

  • An-Nur 24:59

    وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلْأَطْفَٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَـْٔذِنُوا۟ كَمَا ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

    And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission [at all times] as those before them have done. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

  • Ali ’Imran 3:103

    وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

    And hold firmly to the rope of Allāh all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allāh upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.

All similar verses of Surah Al-Baqarah

Go further

English
Sunday, November 1, 2026 21 جمادى الأولى 1448 هـ

About Privacy