Al-Baqara 2:265 · The Cow · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"But those who spend their wealth in order to gain God’s approval, and as an affirmation of their own faith, are like a garden on a hill: heavy rain falls and it produces double its normal yield; even if no heavy rain falls, it will still be watered by the dew. God sees all that you do."

Pickthall (classic)+

"And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah's pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls, is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstorm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please Allah and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not Heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. Allah seeth well whatever ye do."

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ

(while they in their own selves are sure and certain) meaning, they are certain that Allah shall reward them for these righteous acts with the best rewards. Similarly, in a Hadith collected by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا»

(Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and expectation...) meaning, believing that Allah commanded the fast, all the while awaiting His reward for fasting it.

Allah's statement,

كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ

(is that of a garden on a Rabwah) means, the example of a garden on `a height above the ground', as the majority of scholars have stated. Ibn `Abbas and Ad-Dahhak added that it also has flowing rivers.

Allah's statement,

أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ

(Wabil falls on it) means, heavy rain as we stated, So it produces its,

أُكُلُهَا

(yield of harvest) meaning, fruits or produce,

ضِعْفَيْنِ

(doubles), as compared to other gardens.

فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ

(And if it does not receive Wabil, a Tall suffices it.)

Ad-Dahhak said that the `Tall' is light rain. The Ayah indicates that the garden on the Rabwah is always fertile, for if heavy rain does not fall on it, light rain will suffice for it. Such is the case regarding the believer's good deeds, for they never become barren. Rather, Allah accepts the believer's righteous deeds and increases them, each according to his deeds. This is why Allah said next,

وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

(And Allah is All-Seer of what you do) meaning, none of His servants' deeds ever escapes His perfect watch.

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Если человек расходует имущество ради Аллаха, то Он принимает его пожертвования и даже приумножает их, потому что они являются результатом его веры и глубокой искренности. Такой человек делает пожертвования, искренне проявляя великодушие, и его благодеяния подобны саду на холме, который продувается ветрами, поглощает солнечные лучи и щедро орошается дождевой водой. Если не выпадает обильный ливень, то его орошает моросящий дождик, которого бывает вполне достаточно, ведь этот сад растет на плодородной почве и располагается в прекрасном месте. Там есть все условия, необходимые для роста деревьев, цветения и развития плодов, и поэтому он всегда приносит богатый урожай. Такой сад является самым заветным желанием людей, и он подобен достойным поступкам, благодаря которым люди смогут занять высокие горницы.