(92) “You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love; and whatever you spend, Allah knows it well.”

This is an exhortation from Allah to His servants to spend in the avenues of goodness. He says, “You will never attain”—that is, reach and achieve—“righteousness,” which comprises every form of goodness, including acts of obedience and rewards that lead a person to Paradise, “until you spend from what you love.” That is, from your valuable possessions to which you are attached. When you place your love of Allah before your love of wealth and expend it in pursuit of His pleasure, this demonstrates the sincerity of your faith, the righteousness of your hearts, and the certainty of your piety.

This includes giving from one’s most valuable possessions, giving when the donor himself needs what he gives, and giving while in good health. The verse indicates that a servant’s righteousness is proportionate to how much he spends from what he loves, and that his righteousness is diminished to the extent that he falls short in this regard.

Since a servant is rewarded for spending in any manner—whether little or much, and whether or not the wealth is dear to him—the words, “You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love,” might give the impression that spending anything other than what is specified here is of no benefit. The Exalted guards against this mistaken impression by saying, “And whatever you spend, Allah knows it well.” Thus, He does not constrain you; rather, He rewards you for it according to your intentions and the benefit it brings.