Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:39

Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans): Verse 39

Original Text Segment: وما آتيتم من . . . . .

Translation & Exegesis:

This verse is mentioned as an incitement (to charity).

It means that if you are asked to give one thing and receive two in return (usury/interest), you eagerly accept and give it. However, that which is given through usury does not increase in value with God.

In contrast, Zakah (charity) increases with God, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed: "Indeed, the charity falls into the hand of the Most Merciful, and it grows until it becomes like a mountain."

Therefore, your eagerness should be greater for giving Zakah.

Regarding the phrase: {And whatever you give as usury to increase the wealth of people, it will not increase with Allah} (39:39)

This refers to those who receive tenfold increments (like a wealthy person giving to a poor one, or the minimum being ten times the original amount).

This example (of tenfold increase) is illustrative of the reward being a good deed, not necessarily in exact measure. One should not misunderstand this to mean that if someone gives one loaf of bread, God will give him ten loaves.

Rather, it means that the reward necessitated by his action, based on Rahmah (Mercy), God multiplies tenfold based on His Tafaddul (Grace/Favor). Thus, for that single loaf of bread, he will have one palace in Paradise as a reward based on Mercy, and ten similar palaces based on Grace.

Analogy in worldly affairs: A great king accepts a gift worth one dirham from his servant. If he compensates him with ten dirhams, it is not considered generosity. However, if the king's custom is to give a thousand for such a gift, and he gives him ten thousand, then the reward has truly been multiplied for him.

Verse 40:

{Allah is the One who created you, then provided for you, then He causes you to die, then He brings you back to life. Is there any of your partners who does any of that? Exalted is He, and far above what they associate with Him!}