Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ: فِي قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ « اَلَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوٰالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ اَلنَّهٰارِ سِرًّا وَ عَلاٰنِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَ لاٰ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لاٰ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ » قَالَ «نَزَلَتْ فِي اَلنَّفَقَةِ عَلَى اَلْخَيْلِ».

The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace and blessings of Allah (swt) be upon him and his family) said regarding the verse of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Glorious: "Those who spend their wealth in the night and the day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward with their Lord (azj), and they shall not fear nor grieve." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:274) Prophet (saws) said: "It was revealed concerning spending on horses."

قال مصنف هذا الكتاب - رضي الله عنه -: هذه الآية روي أنها نزلت في أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام وكان سبب نزولها أنه كان معه أربعة دراهم فتصدق بدرهم منها بالليل وبدرهم منها بالنهار، ودرهم في السر، وبدرهم في العلانية فنزلت فيه هذه الآية. والآية إذا نزلت في شئ فهي منزلة في كل ما يجري فيه، فالاعتقاد في تفسيرها أنها نزلت في أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام وجرت في النفقة على الخيل وأشباه ذلك.

The compiler of this book—may Allah (swt) be pleased with him—comments: This verse has also been narrated as being revealed concerning Amir al-Mu'minin (a.s). The reason for its revelation was that he had four dirhams: he gave one as charity at night, one during the day, one secretly, and one openly. Hence, this verse was revealed concerning him. It is understood that when a verse is revealed regarding a specific case, it applies to all similar situations. Thus, while its specific interpretation is in regard to Amir al-Mu'minin (a.s), it also applies to spending on horses and similar acts of charity.