أَوۡ

كَٱلَّذِي

مَرَّ

عَلَىٰ

قَرۡيَةٖ

وَهِيَ

خَاوِيَةٌ

عَلَىٰ

عُرُوشِهَا

قَالَ

أَنَّىٰ

يُحۡيِۦ

هَٰذِهِ

ٱللَّهُ

بَعۡدَ

مَوۡتِهَاۖ

فَأَمَاتَهُ

ٱللَّهُ

مِاْئَةَ

عَامٖ

ثُمَّ

بَعَثَهُۥۖ

قَالَ

كَمۡ

لَبِثۡتَۖ

قَالَ

لَبِثۡتُ

يَوۡمًا

أَوۡ

بَعۡضَ

يَوۡمٖۖ

قَالَ

بَل

لَّبِثۡتَ

مِاْئَةَ

عَامٖ

فَٱنظُرۡ

إِلَىٰ

طَعَامِكَ

وَشَرَابِكَ

لَمۡ

يَتَسَنَّهۡۖ

وَٱنظُرۡ

إِلَىٰ

حِمَارِكَ

وَلِنَجۡعَلَكَ

ءَايَةٗ

لِّلنَّاسِۖ

وَٱنظُرۡ

إِلَى

ٱلۡعِظَامِ

كَيۡفَ

نُنشِزُهَا

ثُمَّ

نَكۡسُوهَا

لَحۡمٗاۚ

فَلَمَّا

تَبَيَّنَ

لَهُۥ

قَالَ

أَعۡلَمُ

أَنَّ

ٱللَّهَ

عَلَىٰ

كُلِّ

شَيۡءٖ

قَدِيرٞ

٢٥٩

Or ˹are you not aware of˺ the one who passed by a city which was in ruins. He wondered, “How could Allah bring this back to life after its destruction?” So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years then brought him back to life. Allah asked, “How long have you remained ˹in this state˺?” He replied, “Perhaps a day or part of a day.” Allah said, “No! You have remained here for a hundred years! Just look at your food and drink—they have not spoiled. ˹But now˺ look at ˹the remains of˺ your donkey! And ˹so˺ We have made you into a sign for humanity. And look at the bones ˹of the donkey˺, how We bring them together then clothe them with flesh!”¹ When this was made clear to him, he declared, “˹Now˺ I know that Allah is Most Capable of everything.”

And ˹remember˺ when Abraham said, “My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead.” Allah responded, “Do you not believe?” Abraham replied, “Yes I do, but just so my heart can be reassured.” Allah said, “Then bring four birds, train them to come to you, ˹then cut them into pieces,˺ and scatter them on different hilltops. Then call them back, they will fly to you in haste. And ˹so you will˺ know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies ˹the reward even more˺ to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.

Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow their charity with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words—they will get their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Self-Sufficient, Most Forbearing.

O believers! Do not waste your charity with reminders ˹of your generosity˺ or hurtful words, like those who donate their wealth just to show off and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. Their example is that of a hard barren rock covered with a thin layer of soil hit by a strong rain—leaving it just a bare stone. Such people are unable to preserve the reward of their charity. Allah does not guide ˹such˺ disbelieving people.

And the example of those who donate their wealth, seeking Allah’s pleasure and believing the reward is certain,¹ is that of a garden on a fertile hill: when heavy rain falls, it yields up twice its normal produce. If no heavy rain falls, a drizzle is sufficient. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

Would any of you wish to have a garden with palm trees, grapevines, and all kinds of fruits with rivers flowing underneath and as they grow very old with dependent children, a fiery whirlwind hits the garden, burning it all up? This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so perhaps you will reflect.

O believers! Donate from the best of what you have earned and of what We have produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out worthless things for donation, which you yourselves would only accept with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.

The Devil threatens you with ˹the prospect of˺ poverty and bids you to the shameful deed ˹of stinginess˺, while Allah promises you forgiveness and ˹great˺ bounties from Him. And Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.