Quran 2:3
Quran 2:3
Arabic Text and Translation
ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Transliteration: Alladhīna yu'minūna bil-ghaybi wa yuqīmūnaṣ-ṣalāta wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn
Easy Translation: "Those who believe in the unseen, establish the prayer, and spend (in charity) from what We have provided for them."
Easy Word-by-Word Meaning
This verse continues directly from the previous one. Verse 2 said the Quran is a guide "for the Muttaqin" (the people of Taqwa). Now, Verse 3 describes who these people are and what they do. Their faith is not just in their hearts; it shows in their actions.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ (Alladhīna yu'minūna bil-ghaybi):
"Those who believe in the unseen."
Al-Ghayb: This means everything that is beyond our human senses and scientific proof. It includes Allah, the Angels, Paradise, Hell, the Day of Judgment, and the divine decree. Believing in the Ghayb is the first and most important quality of a Muttaqi. It is about having faith.
وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ (wa yuqīmūnaṣ-ṣalāta):
"And establish the prayer."
"Iqamah as-Salah" doesn't just mean "pray." It means to establish the prayer perfectly—with sincerity, on time, and with focus, following the way Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us. It is the direct connection between the believer and Allah. It is about worship.
وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ (wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn):
"And from what We have provided for them, they spend."
"Razaqna" means "We have provided." This reminds us that all our wealth, health, and skills are a gift from Allah.
"Yunfiqūn" means "they spend." This primarily refers to giving Zakat (obligatory charity) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity). It is about selflessness.
So, this verse gives us the three-part recipe for being a person of Taqwa:
Correct Belief (Iman) in the unseen.
Correct Worship (Ibadah) through Salah.
Correct Action in Society through charity.
Relevance in the Past, Present, and Future
1. Past Relevance: The Blueprint for the First Muslims
For the early Muslim community, this verse was their identity card.
Belief in the Unseen: They had never seen Allah or Paradise, but they believed with all their hearts. This belief gave them the strength to leave their homes, families, and wealth for the sake of Allah. It was the fuel for their sacrifice.
Establishing Prayer: In a society that worshipped idols, praying only to Allah five times a day was a revolutionary act. It physically and spiritually separated them from the disbelievers and united them as one community.
Spending from their Provision: The early Muslims, especially the immigrants (Muhajireen), were extremely poor. Yet, they shared the little they had with each other. This act of charity built a strong, caring, and supportive community from nothing.
2. Present Relevance: The Antidote to Modern Problems
In our complex world, this three-part recipe is the perfect solution for a balanced and meaningful life.
Belief in the Unseen in a Scientific Age:
Science can explain the how, but only faith explains the why. Belief in the Ghayb answers our deepest questions: What is my purpose? What happens after death?
It provides mental peace in a chaotic world. Knowing that an All-Knowing, All-Powerful Allah is in control relieves anxiety and stress.
Establishing Prayer in a Busy World:
In a world of constant distraction, Salah is a mandatory digital detox. It forces us to pause, disconnect from the world, and reconnect with our Creator five times a day.
It is a daily training program for discipline, time management, and purifying the heart from sins. It constantly reminds us of our higher purpose.
Spending in an Age of Consumerism:
In a society that tells us to "buy more, own more," this verse teaches us to "give more." It is a direct cure for greed, selfishness, and love of this world.
It solves social problems. Zakat is not just charity; it is a divinely mandated wealth distribution system. If implemented, it would eradicate poverty from the Muslim community.
It purifies our wealth and our hearts. It reminds us that we are only caretakers of Allah's wealth, and we must share it with those in need.
3. Future Relevance: The Path to Eternal Success
This verse outlines the lifelong practice that leads to success in the Hereafter.
A Lifelong Journey: The qualities of a Muttaqi are not achieved overnight. We will spend our entire lives working on strengthening our belief, perfecting our prayer, and becoming more generous.
Preparation for the Hereafter: The "Unseen" (Ghayb) we believe in will become the "Seen" on the Day of Judgment. Our belief will be turned into sight. Our prayers will be a light for us on that dark Day. Our charity will provide us shade and coolness.
A Timeless Framework: No matter how much technology advances or society changes, the core of a believer's life will always be this triad: Faith, Prayer, and Charity. This is the unchanging path to Allah's pleasure and Paradise.
Conclusion
Quran 2:3 is the practical definition of a true believer. It shows that Islam is a complete way of life that connects:
The heart (with belief),
The body (with prayer),
The wealth (with charity).
It teaches us that real guidance from the Quran is not just about knowing what is right, but about acting upon it. This is the path of those who are truly guided, the Muttaqin, and it is the only path that leads to true success in this world and the next.