2:263    A   kind    word    with    forgiveness     is  better  than
almsgiving  followed    by  injury. Allah   is  Absolute,   Clement.
2:264   O   ye  who BELIEVE!    Render  not vain    your    almsgiving
by  reproach    and injury, like    him who spendeth    his wealth
only    to  be  seen    of  men and BELIEVETH   not in  Allah   and the
Last    Day.    His likeness    is  as  the likeness    of  a   rock    whereon is
dust    of  earth;  a   rainstorm   smiteth it, leaving it  smooth  and
bare.   They    have    no  control of  aught   of  that    which   they    have
gained. Allah   guideth not the DISBELIEVING    folk.
2:265   And the likeness    of  those   who spend   their   wealth  in
search  of  Allah’s pleasure,   and for the strengthening   of  their
souls,   is  as  the     likeness    of  a   garden  on  a   height.     The
rainstorm    smiteth     it  and     it  bringeth    forth   its     fruit   twofold.
And if  the rainstorm   smite   it  not,    then    the shower. Allah   is
Seer    of  what    ye  do.
2:266   Would   any of  you like    to  have    a   garden  of  palm-trees
and vines,  with    rivers  flowing underneath  it, with    all kinds
of  fruit   for him therein;    and old age hath    stricken    him and he
hath    feeble  offspring;  and a   fiery   whirlwind   striketh    it  and it
is   (all)   consumed    by  fire.   Thus    Allah   maketh  plain   His
revelations unto    you,    in  order   that    ye  may give    thought.
2:267   O   ye  who BELIEVE!    Spend   of  the good    things  which
ye  have    earned, and of  that    which   We  bring   forth   from    the
earth   for you,    and seek    not the bad (with   intent) to  spend
thereof (in charity)    when    ye  would   not take    it  for yourselves
save    with    disdain;    and know    that    Allah   is  Absolute,   Owner
of  Praise.
2:268   The devil   promiseth   you destitution and enjoineth   on
you  lewdness.   But    Allah    promiseth   you     forgiveness     from
Himself with    bounty. Allah   is  All-Embracing,  All-Knowing.
                    
                      dana p.
                      (Dana P.)
                      
                    
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