to consult him privately about something, he would give charity. All of this served to magnify the Messenger and honor him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When they did so, however, some of them found the charity burdensome, though they needed to consult him privately, and so they refrained from doing so. Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then lightened this obligation for the believers out of compassion for them. At the outset, He—glorious and mighty—said:

“O you who believe, when you consult the Messenger privately, offer charity before your private consultation. That is better and purer for you.” [Al-Mujādilah: 12]

This applied to those who were able to give charity. Then, as a gracious favor to everyone—both those who could afford it and those who could not—He, glorious and mighty, said:

“Were you apprehensive about offering charity before your private consultations? Since you did not do so and Allah has pardoned you, then establish prayer, give zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah is fully aware of what you do.” [Al-Mujādilah: 13]

Thus, He relieved them of the charity and commanded them to establish prayer, give zakat, and obey Allah—glorified and exalted is He—and His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then informed all His creation, and informed His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that his former and later sins had been forgiven and that Allah’s favor upon His Prophet had been perfected by