Have you not considered those who left their homes in their thousands, fearing death? Allah said to them, “Die,” then brought them back to life. Allah is truly full of favor to humanity, but most people are not grateful.
Who will lend Allah a good loan so that He may multiply it many times over for them? Allah withholds and gives abundantly, and to Him you will be returned.
Have you not considered the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, when they said to one of their prophets, “Appoint a king for us so that we may fight in Allah’s cause.” He said, “Could it be that if fighting were prescribed for you, you would not fight?” They said, “Why would we not fight in Allah’s cause when we have been driven from our homes and separated from our children?” Yet when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few. Allah knows the wrongdoers well.
Their prophet told them, “Allah has appointed Saul as king over you.” They said, “How can he have kingship over us when we have a greater right to kingship than he does, and he has not been given abundant wealth?” He said, “Allah has chosen him over you and increased him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives His authority to whomever He wills. Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing.”
Their prophet told them, “The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, containing reassurance from your Lord and relics left by the families of Moses and Aaron, carried by the angels. In that is certainly a sign for you, if you are believers.”
When Saul set out with the forces, he said, “Allah will test you with a river. Whoever drinks from it is not with me, and whoever does not taste it is with me, except one who scoops a handful.” But they drank from it, except for a few. When he and those who believed with him crossed the river, some said, “We have no strength today against Goliath and his forces.” But those certain that they would meet Allah said, “How many a small group has overcome a large group by Allah’s permission! Allah is with those who are patient.”
When they advanced against Goliath and his forces, they prayed, “Our Lord, pour patience upon us, make our feet firm, and help us against the people who reject faith.”
So they defeated them by Allah’s permission, and David killed Goliath. Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him what He willed. Had Allah not repelled some people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is full of favor to all worlds.
Those messengers, We favored some over others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in rank. We gave Jesus son of Mary clear proofs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Had Allah willed, those after them would not have fought one another after clear proofs came to them. But they differed: some believed and some rejected faith. Had Allah willed, they would not have fought one another, but Allah does what He wills.
Believers, spend from what We have provided you before a Day comes in which there will be no trade, friendship, or intercession. Those who reject faith are the wrongdoers.
Allah, there is no god except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they grasp nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and preserving them does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent.
There is no compulsion in faith. True guidance has become distinct from error. Whoever rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the firmest handhold, one that will never break. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Allah is the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who reject faith, their protectors are false powers that bring them out of light into darkness. They are the people of the Fire, remaining there.
Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord because Allah had given him kingship? Abraham said, “My Lord is the One who gives life and causes death.” He replied, “I give life and cause death.” Abraham said, “Allah brings the sun from the east, so bring it from the west.” The one who rejected faith was left speechless. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people.
Or consider the one who passed by a town lying in ruins and said, “How will Allah bring this back to life after its death?” So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then brought him back to life. Allah asked, “How long have you remained?” He replied, “A day or part of a day.” Allah said, “No, you have remained for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink, they have not spoiled. And look at your donkey. We will make you a sign for people. Look at the bones, how We raise them and then cover them with flesh.” When it became clear to him, he said, “I know that Allah has power over everything.”
And when Abraham said, “My Lord, show me how You bring the dead to life.” Allah said, “Do you not believe?” He replied, “Yes, but so that my heart may be reassured.” Allah said, “Take four birds and draw them close to you. Then place a part of them on each hill, then call them; they will come swiftly to you. And know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
The example of those who spend their wealth in Allah’s cause is like a grain that grows seven ears, with a hundred grains in every ear. Allah multiplies for whomever He wills. Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing.
Those who spend their wealth in Allah’s cause and do not follow what they spend with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words will have their reward with their Lord. They will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
Believers, do not ruin your acts of charity with reminders of generosity and hurtful words, like someone who spends wealth to be seen by people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their example is like a smooth rock covered with a little soil; heavy rain strikes it and leaves it bare. They gain nothing from what they earned. Allah does not guide people who reject faith.