that is fertile, bringing forth seven ears, each containing a hundred grains. Yet behind this spending lies an obstacle that prevents its growth and increase, just as a stone beneath the soil prevents the seeds sown there from sprouting. They neither grow nor produce anything.

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): verse 265]
“And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure and with inner resolve is that of a garden on high ground: a downpour falls upon it, and it yields twice its produce. If no downpour falls upon it, then light rain suffices. And Allah sees all that you do.” (265)

This is the likeness of someone whose spending springs from sincerity and truthfulness. Seeking His pleasure, glorified be He, is sincerity, while inner resolve is truthfulness in giving. Someone who spends encounters two pitfalls when giving; if he escapes them both, his likeness is as described in this verse.

The first is seeking praise, acclaim, or some worldly objective through his spending. This is the condition of most who spend. The second pitfall is his own weakness, reluctance, and hesitation over whether to act. The first is overcome by seeking Allah’s pleasure; the second, by strengthening one’s resolve. Strengthening the soul means encouraging it, fortifying it, and moving it to give. This is its truthfulness. Seeking Allah’s pleasure means desiring His Face alone: this is its sincerity.

When spending springs from these qualities, its likeness is that of a garden—a densely wooded orchard, sheltered by its trees rather than an empty, open tract. The garden stands on high ground, an elevated place, because such a garden is more perfect than one in hollows and lowlands. Its elevation exposes it to currents of air and winds, and to the sun at its rising, its zenith, and its setting. Its fruit is therefore riper, tastier, finer, and more abundant, for wind and sunlight improve the flavour and growth of fruit, unlike fruit that develops in the shade.

When a garden stands on high ground, the only concern for it is a shortage of water and irrigation. Thus Allah Most High says, “A downpour falls upon it”—heavy, abundant rain. It then yields its fruit and gives forth its bounty, producing twice as much as other gardens, or twice what it would otherwise have produced, because of that downpour. This is the condition of the foremost, those brought near to Allah.

“If no downpour falls upon it, then light rain suffices.” This is less than a downpour, yet it is enough because of the richness of its soil and the goodness of the ground in which it is planted. Light rain alone suffices for it to yield its bounty. This is the condition of the righteous and those who are moderate in