of those who act.” (Āl ʿImrān 134–136)

These, then, are the God-fearing: “those who spend in prosperity and in adversity,” meaning that they give of their wealth “in prosperity”—when life is easy, money abundant, joy widespread, and hearts expansive—and “in adversity,” that is, when their means are tight and resources scant.

Here Allah did not specify an exact amount to be given, but He clarified it in other verses. He says, “They ask you what they should spend. Say: ‘al-ʿafw (whatever is surplus).’” (Al-Baqarah 219). In other words, spend whatever exceeds your needs and necessities. He also says, “Those who, when they spend, are neither wasteful nor stingy, but keep a balance between the two.” (Al-Furqān 67). Thus they give in a manner that is neither extravagant nor miserly, and they spend from the surplus—that which remains beyond their essential needs.

“And those who restrain their anger,” meaning: when anger flares—when rage reaches its peak—they swallow it, do not act upon it, and patiently bear that suppression. Such self-restraint is among the hardest things for the soul, as the Prophet ﷺ said, “The strong man is not the one who throws others to the ground; the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.”

Al-ṣarʿah—that is, someone who wrestles people to the ground and overpowers them—is not the truly strong; true strength lies in mastering oneself at the moment of anger.