Tafsir of Al-Mujadilah 58:12-13

{Before your private consultation} This is a metaphor derived from one who has two hands. The meaning is: "before your private consultation," similar to the saying of Umar: "Among the best things the Arabs have been given is poetry; a man presents it before his need, seeking to draw rain from the generous and to bring down the miser." He means: before his need.

{That is better for you} In your religion.

{And purer} Because charity is a purification. It is narrated that people frequently sought private consultation with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) for their own desires until they wearied and annoyed him. It was desired that they desist from this, so they were commanded that whoever wished to consult him privately should offer charity beforehand.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When it was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called me and said: 'What do you say about a dinar?' I replied: 'They cannot afford it.' He asked: 'How much then?' I said: 'A grain of gold or barley.' He said: 'You are indeed frugal.'"

When the people saw this, it became difficult for them, so they refrained and desisted—the poor due to their hardship, and the rich due to their stinginess. It is said this lasted for ten nights, then it was abrogated. It is also said it lasted only for an hour of the day.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "There is a verse in the Book of Allah that no one acted upon before me, and no one will act upon after me: I had a dinar, I exchanged it, and whenever I consulted him privately, I gave a dirham in charity." Al-Kalbi said: He gave it in charity for ten questions he asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

Ibn Umar said: "Ali had three things; if I had one of them, it would be dearer to me than red camels: his marriage to Fatimah, his being given the banner on the day of Khaybar, and the verse of private consultation."

Ibn Abbas said: It is abrogated by the verse that follows it. Others say it was abrogated by the Zakat.

{Were you afraid?} Did you fear offering charity because of the spending involved, which you dislike, and because Satan promises you poverty and commands you to commit indecency?

{Since you did not do it} What you were commanded to do, and it became difficult for you, and {Allah has turned to you in forgiveness} and excused you, granting you a concession not to do it. Therefore, do not neglect prayer, Zakat, and other acts of obedience.

{Of what you do} Read with both the ta (you do) and the ya (they do).

{Have you not seen those who made allies of a people with whom Allah has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to untruth while they know. Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing. They took their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah, and for them is a humiliating punishment. Never will their wealth or their children avail them at all against Allah. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally. On the Day Allah will resurrect them all, they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are on something [of value]. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars. Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan—they are the losers.}