Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 261

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The example of those who spend in the way of Allah is just like a grain that produced seven ears, each ear having a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

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.

Ruwwad Translation Center

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that sprouts seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains. And Allah gives multiple [rewards] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

A. J. Arberry

The likeness of those who expend their wealth in the way of God is as the likeness of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. So God multiplies unto whom He will; God is All-embracing, All-knowing.

Abdul Haleem

Those who spend their wealth in God’s cause are like grains of corn that produce seven ears, each bearing a hundred grains. God gives multiple increase to whoever He wishes: He is limitless and all knowing.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

The likeness of those who expend their substance in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain that groweth seven ears and in each ear one hundred grains: and Allah multiplieth unto whomsoever He listeth. Allah is Bounteous, Knowing.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn; it groweth seven ears, and each ear Hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth; And Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things.

Abul Ala Maududi

The charity of those who expend their wealth in the way of Allah may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces seven ears and each ear yields a hundred grains. Likewise Allah develops manifold the charity of anyone He pleases, for He is All-Embracing, All-Wise.

Ahmed Ali

The semblance of those who expend their wealth in the way of God is that of a grain of corn from which grow seven ears, each ear containing a hundred grains. Truly God increases for whomsoever He will, for God is infinite and all-wise.

Ahmed Raza Khan

The example of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s way is similar to that of a grain which has sprouted seven stalks and in each stalk are a hundred grains; and Allah may increase it still more than this, for whomever He wills; and Allah is Most Capable, All Knowing.

Ali Quli Qarai

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah enhances severalfold whomever He wishes, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.

Ali Ünal

The parable of those who spend their wealth in God’s cause is like that of a grain that sprouts seven ears, and in every ear there are a hundred grains. God multiplies for whom He wills. God is All-Embracing (with His mercy), All-Knowing.

Amatul Rahman Omar

The attribute of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allâh is like the attribute of a grain (of corn) which sprouts seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains. And Allâh multiplies further for whomsoever He pleases, for Allâh is Bountiful, All-Knowing.

English Literal

(The) example/proverb (of) those who spend their properties/wealth in God`s way/sake (is) as/like (the) example/proverb of a seed/grain (that) sprouted/grew seven ears/spikes , in every ear/spike (are) one hundred grain(s)/seed(s), and God doubles/multiplies for whom He wills/wants, and God (is) rich/abundant ,knowledgeable.

Faridul Haque

The example of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s way is similar to that of a grain which has sprouted seven stalks and in each stalk are a hundred grains; and Allah may increase it still more than this, for whomever He wills; and Allah is Most Capable, All Knowing.

Hamid S. Aziz

The likeness of those who expend their wealth in Allah´s way is as the likeness of a grain that grows to seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains, for Allah will give many fold unto whom He pleases; for Allah is All-Embracing and All-Knowing.

Hilali & Khan

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (further) for whom He pleases. And Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears (with) a hundred grains in every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing

Mohammed Marmaduke William 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.

Muhammad Sarwar

Spending money for the cause of God is as the seed from which seven ears may grow, each bearing one hundred grains. God gives in multiples to those whom He wants. God is Munificent and All-knowing.

Qaribullah & Darwish

The example of those who give their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah multiplies to whom He will, Allah is the Embracer, the Knower.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is that of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

Wahiduddin Khan

Those who spend their wealth for God's cause may be compared to a grain of corn which sprouts into seven ears, with a hundred grains in each ear: for God grants manifold increase to whom He wills; God is infinite and all knowing.

Talal Itani

The parable of those who spend their wealth in God’s way is that of a grain that produces seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. God multiplies for whom He wills. God is Bounteous and Knowing.

Tafsir jalalayn

The likeness, of the quality of the expenditure, of those who expend their wealth in the way of God, that is, in obedience of Him, is as the likeness of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains; likewise what they expend will be multiplied seven hundred times; so God multiplies, even more than this, for whom He will; God is Embracing, in His bounty, Knowing, those who deserve such multiplications.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Rewards of Spending in Allah's Cause

Allah says;

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّيَةُ حَبَّةٍ

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is that of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains.

This is a parable that Allah made of the multiplication of rewards for those who spend in His cause, seeking His pleasure. Allah multiplies the good deed ten to seven hundred times.

Allah said,
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ
(The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah...),

Sa`id bin Jubayr commented,

"Meaning spending in Allah's obedience."

Makhul said that the Ayah means,

"Spending on Jihad, on horse stalls, weapons and so forth."

The parable in the Ayah is more impressive on the heart than merely mentioning the number seven hundred. This Ayah indicates that Allah `grows' the good deeds for its doers, just as He grows the plant for whoever sows it in fertile land.

The Sunnah also mentions that the deeds are multiplied up to seven hundred folds. For instance, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Mas`ud said that a man once gave away a camel, with its bridle on, in the cause of Allah and the Messenger of Allah said,

لَتَأْتِيَنَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِسَبْعِمِايَةِ نَاقَةٍ مَخْطُومَة

On the Day of Resurrection, you will have seven hundred camels with their bridles.

Muslim and An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith, and Muslim's narration reads,

"A man brought a camel with its bridle on and said, `O Messenger of Allah! This is in the sake of Allah.'

The Messenger said,

لَكَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ سَبْعُمِايَةِ نَاقَة

You will earn seven hundred camels as reward for it on the Day of Resurrection.
Another Hadith;

Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ ادَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشَرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِمِايَةِ ضِعْفٍ إِلى مَا شَاءَ اللهُ

Every good deed that the son of Adam performs will be multiplied ten folds, to seven hundred folds, to many other folds, to as much as Allah wills.

يَقُولُ اللهُ إِلاَّ الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ يَدَعُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي

Allah said, "Except the fast, for it is for Me and I will reward for it. One abandons his food and desire in My sake."

وَلِلصَّايِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ فَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ وَفَرْحَةٌ عِنْدَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ

The fasting person has two times of happiness;when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord.

وَلَخَلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّايِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ

Verily, the odor that comes from the mouth of whoever fasts is more pure to Allah than the scent of musk.

الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ الصَّومُ جُنَّة

Fasting is a shield (against sinning), fasting is a shield.

Muslim recorded this Hadith.

Allah's statement,

وَاللّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاء

Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills,

is according to the person's sincerity in his deeds.

وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ



And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

meaning, His Favor is so wide that it encompasses much more than His creation, and He has full knowledge in whoever deserves it, or does not deserve it.

All the praise and thanks are due to Allah