Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:39

"And whatever you give in usury..."

This verse carries the same meaning as the Almighty’s saying: "Allah destroys usury and increases charities" (Al-Baqarah: 276), exactly the same.

It means: Whatever you give to the usurer "so that it may increase"—that is, so that it may grow and flourish—"in the wealth of others"; it will not flourish in the sight of Allah, nor will it be blessed.

"And whatever you give in zakat"—meaning charity—"seeking the Countenance of Allah" (purely, without seeking reward, show, or reputation), "then those are the ones who are the multipliers"—those who possess the multiplication of good deeds. The form mud‘if (multiplier) is analogous to muqwin (one who possesses strength) and mūsir (one who possesses wealth). It has also been recited with the ‘ayn opened (mud‘afūn).

It is said this was revealed regarding the tribe of Thaqif, who used to practice usury. It is also said that the intent is for a man to give a gift or present to another, hoping to be compensated with more than what he gave. This increase is not forbidden, but the one who is compensated is not rewarded for that increase.

They said: Usury is of two types:

1. Forbidden: Any loan from which more is taken back, or which draws a benefit.
2. Not forbidden: Seeking more than what was given through a gift or present. In the Hadith: "The one who seeks increase is rewarded for his gift."

It has been recited as mā ataytum (what you have committed/approached) in the sense of what you have engaged in or incurred of giving usury. It has also been recited as li-tarbū (so that you may increase), meaning: so that you may increase their wealth, similar to the Almighty’s saying: "And He increases charities," meaning He makes them grow.

"Then those are the ones who are the multipliers" is a beautiful shift in address. It is as if He said to His angels and the elite of His creation: "Those who seek the Countenance of Allah with their charities are the multipliers." This is more praiseworthy for them than saying: "Then you are the multipliers."

The meaning is: "Multipliers through it," because there must be a pronoun referring back to "what" (mā). Another perspective is that the estimation is: "Those who give it are the multipliers." The omission is due to the presence of evidence for it in the speech. This is the easier approach, while the first is more filled with benefit.

"Allah is the One who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will bring you to life. Is there any of your 'partners' who does any of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him."