used to spend in the path of Allah and also give things in Sadaqah. Once, in a year of famine, they changed their minds and stopped this noble practise. On that occasion this Ayat was revealed. Aslam Rahmathullah alaihe has said that he was once of those who participated in the battle of Constantinople. A large force of the enemy advanced to oppose them. A man from their side rushed alone into the enemy lines. Upon this, some of the Muslims started shouting that the men had blindly invited his ruination and they recited this particular Ayat in support of their contention. Abu Ayyub Ansaari Radhiallaho anho, who was also in the field, got up and said that the action of that man was not self-ruination at all; he said that the Ayat of the Qur’an being quoted by some people referred to the Ansaar. He explained that Ansaar quietly took a decision among themselves that the time had come for them to engage themselves in improving their lands and farms, etc; in the belief that, by the grace of Allah Ta’ala, Islam by then had become predominant and many people besides the Ansaar had joined the ranks of its supporters and helpers and, so the Ansaar could turn to their fields, plantations, etc, which were in ruin due to neglect and lack of care. At that juncture, the Ayat in question was revealed in order to admonish them that it would be self-ruination if the Ansaar gave up Jehaad for the sake of improving their properties. (Durre Manthur). 4. (People) ask you what they should spend (as Sadaqah). "Tell (them) what they can spare". (i.e.) what is in excess of their requirements). (al-baqarah: 219) Note: Wealth is meant to be spent; whatever is left over, after meeting personal requirements, should be spent as Sadaqah. Ibne Abbas Radhiallaho anho has said that, after meeting the requirements of one’s family the balance becomes ‘Afv’ which means that it is to be spent as Sadaqah. Abu Umamah Radhiallaho anho has reported Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam as saying, "O men, give what you can spare for charity, this is good for you; if you hold it back, it will be bad for you. You are not to blame for keeping back just enough for your own requirements; begin by spending on those who are dependant on you. The upper hand (which gives) is better than the lower hand (which is stretched out for accepting alms)". Ataa Rahmathullah alaihe is quoted as having said that ‘Afv’ means wealth in excess of actual needs. (Durre Manthur). Abu Sae’ed Khudri Radhiallaho anho has said that once Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said that when a person has an extra conveyance he should give it to someone who has none, and whoever has provision in excess should give the excess to those who do not have any. Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said this so emphatically that we thought no one would have any right over his own property in excess of his actual needs. (Abu Dawood). In fact the highest virtue lies only in giving away everything that is over and above one’s legitimate requirements; nothing is to be hoarded. Certain Ulama have said that ‘Afv’ means "What is convenient"; one should spend as Sadaqah what can be spared with convenience and ease, so that no hardship or distress is caused to oneself afterwards. Also that no dependant should be deprived of his or her legitimate rights (which is a responsibility of the spender), due to which the latter may get into trouble on the Day of Judgement. It is narrated that Ibne Abbas Radhiallaho anho said, "Some people used to give so much Sadaqah that nothing would be left with themselves, even for eating, and they would be compelled to look for Sadaqah from others. It was for this reason that the above Ayat was revealed". Abu Sae’ed Khudri Radhiallaho anho has said that Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, seeing the very poor condition of a person just arrived in the Masjid, asked the people to give him clothes as Sadaqah. Plenty of these were contributed , Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam gave two garments out of these to the poor man. Later, once again Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam persuaded people to donate as Sadaqah. That poor man also gave one garment out of the two, whereupon Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam showed his displeasure and returned the piece to him. (Durre Manthur).
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