WELFARE SPENDING BEGINS AT HOME[2:215]

WELFARE SPENDING BEGINS AT HOME

[2:215] They ask you about expenditure for the welfare of society: say, "Any 

welfare📍 expenditure you make shall first go to your parents and then your

relatives, the orphans, the poor and the refugees." Any good you do, God is fully aware.

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📍Social Welfare: it is a duty of every muslim to ensure that there is no undue suffering of people 

in their community. Special attention should be given first to your parents and then to your 

relatives, the orphans, the poor and needy and the refugees in the community. So important is 

looking after the vulnerable members of our society that throughout the Quran there are 

continuous reminders of this central responsibility. This spending on social welfare is not an act of

charity but a right to be given to all those entitled to it. The Quran advocates not charity but 

dignity. See verses: 2:3; 2:254; 2:261-274; 3:92; 3:134; 8:3; 8:60; 13;22; 14:31; 17:23-27; 22:35; 

24:22; 28:54; 32:16; 34:39; 35:29; 36:47; 42:23; 42:38. See also 21:112. Expend. (Arabic: anfaq). 

See verse 2.3🪵 and footnote for words from root N'F'Q. Refugees: Why do people migrate? One of 

the reasons people migrate is on humanitarian grounds; their countries are destroyed due to war 

or disaster and they can't survive and they have to take refuge elsewhere. It is a duty to help such 

refugees but in first place no aggression or unjust wars must be waged that put people in a state 

making them homeless and helpless. See verses: 2:83-88, 177, 191-193; 8:39; 58:8(sig).

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2:3🪵

THE BENEFACTORS OF HUMANITY

[2:3] who also believe24📍 in what is not directly evident, observe their

commitments25📍 and from what We bestow on them they spend26📍 and 

become the benefactors of humanity.

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Note:

24📍 The criteria for a righteous person is given in verse 2:177. The word 'muslim' (root S'L'M) is the 

Arabic word for one who submits and harmonises with God's law. It is an adjective and expresses 

the characteristic of an exemplary person who believes and acts to develop his or her Self in order 

to advance society. An individual becomes a believer, a muslim; one who harmonises with God's 

system. A person can be a 'muslim' only by choice, not birth. It's character and actions that show

this status, whether the word 'muslim' is used to describe such an individual or not is irrelevant.

25📍 Commitment, obligation, pledge, steadfastness. (Arabic: solaa. Root: S'L'W. Derivatives: faSolaa, yuSilla, muSollan plus others). Commitments mean remaining steadfast with the positive 

fulfilment of obligations and to keep your promises: to yourself, your family, your friends and 

everyone else including your community and country. Commitments should be kept pure of any 

corruptions and within Quranic values. Other usages of solaa: 2:157; 2:249; 4:101-102; 5:58; 

5:106; 5:12-13; 9:4-6; 10:87; 11:87; 11:114; 19:31; 21:73; 24:41; 107:1-7. See also 

verses 2:43; 2:125. Also see 33:43; 33:53 & meaning of zakaa (pure) 2:43.

26📍 Spend: expenditure, spend, dues. (Arabic: anfaqa. Root N'F'Q Derivatives: yunfiqu, anfiq, 

infiq, munfiq). This word has been translated in various shades of the root meaning depending on the context: provide, payment [verse 60:10], contribute [verse 9:92]. The importance of 

spending and contributing for the welfare of society is heavily emphasised throughout the 

Quran. This needs to be in words and deeds throughout the year as opposed to being 

charitable and giving donations once in a while, or paying annual religious tithes. The Quran 

advocates not charity but dignity. Social welfare. See verse 2:215, and footnote to 🪴21:112. For 

related word munafiq, see verse 2:8. Social Welfare/ Citizen's Income: see verse and footnote 

21:112 and the Quranic Concepts section.

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🪴[21:112] Say: "My Sustainer, Your judgment is the absolute truth. Our 

Sustainer is the Most Gracious, only His help we seek in the face of your 

claims."583📍

 

583📍 Social Welfare: It may seem striking at first, but we should not be surprised to learn that there is no charity decreed in the Quran. As always there is a very good reason for omitting something 

that on face value seems good but in actual fact is detrimental. Charity is the occasional voluntary 

donation of residual income or goods to the needy. It can be an act of pity to temporarily relieve 

the hardship of someone and makes the giver feel as if they have done something worthwhile. 

The Quran's decree is a more permanent solution with far-reaching effects. It propagates a social 

welfare system to help those in genuine need.

The Quranic concept of ehsan is to balance society and close the gaps created by the disparity of 

poor distribution of wealth. This is why it says that people should expend, what God has bestowed on 

them for social welfare. Those in a position to do so must contribute a fixed amount from their 

disposable income. The word the Quran uses to describe this expenditure is anfaq. This can be a 

portion of your money set aside for helping those in need or it may be an amount of taxation levied 

by the government to establish and maintain a social welfare system. Practically it needs to be both: 

a portion reserved and given first to parents, then to family and those in need known to you, while 

the state system should be there to provide for those who have no other means of support. This is 

not charity but the implementation of social welfare system to share and distribute wealth to all 

members of society. Everyone has a right to a decent standard of living. The idea is to raise the 

standard of living for all people and give them their right. This also gives the receiver dignity and 

respect, not pity and charity which degrades the human Self. The adage that says, give a man a 

fish, feed him for a day; show a man how to fish, feed him for life is a good illustration of the 

'expenditure' people are expected to make for social welfare and look after each other's interests.

Universal Basic income: Social welfare is referred to throughout the Quran is an important duty 

incumbent on all members of society and for the benefit of every individual in the community. To 

share in the inherited social wealth is everyone's right. The Quran advocates not charity but 

dignity. It's not just an important personal obligation but also something that has to be put in 

place by the government of the day. One way this can operate is to establish a Basic Income (that 

is not means tested) for every man, woman and child paid to every permanent resident in the 

country and funded by the taxes paid by businesses and working people. This would mean higher 

taxes and realignment of current system and tighter laws to ensure corporations paid instead of 

avoiding tax liabilities. Every individual would be paid regardless of their age or working 

status. This also removes the stigma of receiving benefits often seen as state 'charitable' 

handouts. The amount paid would depend on age, and those who did not have the capacity to 

work (e.g. those with long term illness or disability) would also get additional benefits. This would 

ensure that everyone had financial security throughout their life. People could express themselves(sig).