This verse is about spending in the way of Allah (swt) and treating the stinginess of the human soul. This is the treatment the Almighty wants because He is the one who has created humans and made the doctrines of Islam as a mercy for the world. Moreover, Allah (swt) hasn’t specified that His mercy is meant only for the ones who believe in Him. Rather, His mercy encompasses everything. So, Allah (swt) has created human beings in a very precise manner and guaranteed that those who are in need take from whom Allah (swt) has blessed; this is realized by urging people to pay Zakat and charities, spend, and do the good. Someone may wonder why Allah (swt) hasn’t created all people rich so that no one needs the other; and then, it becomes needless to urge the wealthy to give to the poor, make charity and warn them not to harm or remind anyone of what they do. The answer is that we don’t know the wisdom of the Wise who says:

 {يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ}

(He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.) (Al-Baqara: 269)

(… وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ …) (…and assuring [reward for] themselves ): Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah used to keep saying:

“O Thou who turnest the hearts about, establish my heart in Thy religion[1].”

Charity strengthens your faith. In this context, what should one do when they want to consolidate their faith? The answer is that they help Allah’s creatures (people) and spend on them; then, they feel that the active and passive provision is done as they spend. This is the meaning of consolidating faith within one’s self.

(… كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ …) (…Is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour – so it yields its fruits in double …): In this verse, there is a very accurate, scientific example that can only be given by the Lord of humanity. The example within the verse means that the one who spends money -seeking Allah’s satisfaction and dealing with the Strong not the weak, the Creator not creatures- has his money like an orchard on high ground (hit by a downpour) i.e. heavy rainfall, (so it yields its fruits in double); Why so? Because as long it’s on a high ground, the water reaches the leaves first, and leaves suck it, so, the roots don’t get rotten. On the other hand, water can be stored when the soil on a high ground is smooth. This example has to do with an agriculture.

(… فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ …) (…And [even] if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient …): Even if there is no heavy rainfall, a light rain drizzle could be sufficient. Thus, whoever spends more and more doubles their rewards and protects their family and children’s future by spending. Prophet Muhammad (saws) said:

“wealth is destroyed, whether on the land or in the sea, only by not paying Zakat. So, protect your money by paying Zakat, cure the patients among you by charity, and repel misfortune by supplication. Supplication benefits against that which strikes and that which does not strike; it undoes the former and prevents the latter[2].”

How do you protect your money by Zakat? You deal with Allah (swt) who promises you to multiply the charitable money seven hundred folds; so, you immunize your money because every penny you spend will be multiplied by seven hundred folds by the Almighty. Moreover, charity cures the patient, and whoever spends gains provision. In this context, there are two kinds of provision: active and passive. The former is when you get money, whereas the latter is when Allah (swt) repels harm off you. For example, a man who has a headache takes a tablet to kill the pain. On the other hand, another man with a headache has MRI and CTS scans ….etc. The Almighty in the first example has saved the man from the trouble; this is the meaning of the passive provision which goes unnoticed. In all, you pay a charity to the poor but repel harm off you.

( وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ … ) (…And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing): Allah (swt) sees everything.

[1] Hadith 2140, Chapter: the hearts are between two Fingers of Allah’s Fingers, Al-Qadar Vol, Sunan At-Tirmidhi

[2] Hadith no. 18, Ibrahim Bin Abi Abla, Musnad Ash-Shamiyeen