Here the talk is about people of Israel once again. The question when it comes in such a way which contains the word (how) it refers to the too numerous to count of signs, miracles and things that proved the truthfulness of the prophet Moses’ (PBUH). The addressed person here was the Prophet Muhammad (saws) to ask the Jews people who were living in Al-Medina. However, it is a general question. The bounties that Allah (swt) has given them are too many, including: shadowing them with clouds, granting them with Mann and Salwa, and parting the sea with the rod of Moses (PBUH), and drowning of Pharaoh and his army. . . So how many grants Allah (swt) has bestowed upon the children of Israel, and on the other hand how many times they denied. Allah (swt) says:

 {لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ }

(Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.)  (Alma’eda: 78)

( بَيِّنَةٍ ) (of evidence..): Clear and visible.

( وَمَن يُبَدِّلْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ) (And whoever exchanges the favor of Allah [for disbelief] after it has come to him – then indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.): How many miracles came down on the children of Israel, despite all that, they denied them. Meeting the blessings is to be with thanks and worship, and not with disbelieving and ingratitude. Whoever denies the grace of Allah (swt) as if he disbelieves in Allah (swt) as Allah (swt) stated in this verse.

What is meant by (exchange)? Exchanging these blessings in which they enjoy with disbelieve and deny, Allah (swt) says:

 {أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْرًا }

(Have you not considered those who changed the favor of Allah for disbelief.)  (Ibrahim: 28)

These countless blessings that Allah (swt) has provided to mankind deserve thanks and praise. Allah (swt) says:

 {لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ }

(If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor.)  (Ibrahim: 7)

Thanking for the blessings always preserves and increases them. Allah (swt) blesses us since He (swt) created us by giving us air, water, food, livelihood, offspring, money, and health. Ungratefulness of grace means disobeying of the Creator, in other words, being away of Allah’s (swt) commands is the exchanging of these blessings. When man exchanges the grace with unbelief and ingratitude, it causes the wrath of Allah (swt). Therefore, man always has to spend, to pay Zakat. The Prophet (saws) said:

The wealth of a man will not diminish by Sadaqah (charity). [1]

Why is that? Does charity increase or decrease the money? In fact, if we look at the matter from the mathematical view, we would find that money is decreasing, because you are going to extract 2.5% of this money and pay it to the poor, the needy, and to Zakat’s spending categories. However, in fact, when you give this money while you are thanking your Lord (swt). This process is the thanksgiving of the movement of life, and that is what is required. Acknowledgments are not exclusively with the tongue, but with your movement in life. It is when you give to others, help others, and purify your money. Therefore, it named Zakat. The Arabic word of Zakat refers to development; it is derived from increase and purity. It is the purification of money and the body. You pay Zakat so you increase, and this money grows and increases. In this case, you are not exchanging Allah’s bestowments here. As for those who exchanges the grace of Allah (swt) after what they have received, then Allah (swt) is severely punishing, Allah’s (swt) punishment is painful, whereas His punishment in this worldly life means these blessings are gone, as the Prophet (saws) said:

“No cause of damaging money in the sea and on land except preventing Zakat. So, protect your money with Zakat. Treat your patients with charity. Push off the afflictions by Dua (supplications). The Dua will benefit what has come down and what has not, it removes what has descended, and prevents what has not “.[2]

So, as the Prophet (saws) indicated, by Zakat you protect your money, by charity Allha (swt) cures your patients, by supplication Allah (swt) push ordeals off you as the prophet (saws) said:

“Nothing turns back the Decree except supplication.[3]

Hence, the supplication is the weapon of the believers, and it is as our Prophet (saws) has taught us:

Supplication is the essence of worship. [4]

[1] Al-Mu’jam Al-Sager of al-Tabarabi: the letter Hamzah, chapter Alif whose name is Ahmad, No. (142).

[2] Al-Shamiyen Book: Ibrahim Ibn Abi Abla, Hadith No. (18).

[3] Sunan Al-Termithi: chapter on Destiny, Hadith No. (2139).

[4] Sunan Al-Termithi: Book of supplication, chapter of The virtue of Supplication, Hadith No. (3371).