Distribution System for Charities (9:60 – 9:62)
Quran Talk Blog · Article · June 27, 2016
Distribution System for Charities
9:60 Charities shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of GOD, and to the traveling alien. Such is GOD’s commandment. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
9:61 Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, “ He is all ears!” Say, “It is better for you that he listens to you. He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a mercy for those among you who believe.” Those who hurt GOD’s messenger have incurred a painful retribution.
9:62 They swear by GOD to you, to please you, when GOD and His messenger are more worthy of pleasing, if they are really believers.
One of the blessings of having the Quran translated in English is that punctuations provides clarity that could be misunderstood otherwise. In 9:60 it could be read without the “,” and we would not have the right understanding:
“…to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of GOD”
“…to those burdened by sudden expenses in the cause of GOD”