And whatever you give for interest [i.e., advantage] to increase within the wealth of people1149 will not increase with Allāh. But what you give in zakāh,1150 desiring the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh - those are the multipliers.1151
Notes
[1149] The phrase includes several connotations, among them: a) that which is given as usury or interest, b) that which is given on the condition that it be repaid with interest, and c) a gift given with the intention of obtaining from the recipient greater benefit or a larger gift.
[1150] The meaning of ṣadaqah (voluntary charity) is included here.
[1151] Of their blessings on earth and their rewards in the Hereafter.
Verse 39 of Surah Ar-Rum (30:39), a Meccan surah, is in juz 21, on page 408 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 74 reciters.
Listen to verse 39 of Surah Ar-Rum
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Tafsir of verse 39
Al-Mukhtasar
Whatever wealth you give to anyone with the expectation that they will.return it to you with an increase, that wealth does not grow with Allah. And whatever wealth you give to fulfil someone's need, desiring only the pleasure of Allah, and not praise or reward from the people, the reward of that deed shall be multiplied for you by Allah.
Whatever you lend in usury in order to gain more at the expense of people’s wealth16, it will not increase [in reward] with Allah. But whatever you give as charity17, seeking Allah’s pleasure – it is they who will have multiple rewards18.
Notes
[16] i.e., to be repaid with interest; or a gift given with the intention of obtaining a greater benefit or a larger gift. [17] i.e., voluntary or obligatory charity.
[18] Of its blessings in this life and its rewards in the Hereafter.
And that which you give in gift5 (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return) from other people’s property, has no increase with Allâh; but that which you give in Zakât (sadaqa - charity etc.) seeking Allâh’s Countenance, then those, they shall have manifold increase.
Notes
[5] (V.30:39) See Tafsîr Ibn Kathir
That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold.
That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: but that which ye lay out for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied.
And whatever you lay out as usury, so that it may increase in the property of men, it shall not increase with Allah; and whatever you give in charity, desiring Allah's pleasure-- it is these (persons) that shall get manifold.
And whatever you bring in riba (Usury and other forms of unlawful gain) that it may augment upon (other) persons' (Usury and other forms of unlawful gain) wealth, then it does not augment in the Providence of Allah; and whatever you bring in Zakat, (Poor-dues) willing to seek the Face of Allah, then those are they who will get (recompense) manifold.
