Bismillah.
لَنْ تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ
You will never attain righteousness unless you spend out of what you love, and whatever you give is certainly well known to Allah.
(Sūrat Āli Imrān, No. 3, Āyat 92)
“Al-Bārr” is one of the ninety-nine beautiful names of Almighty Allah, meaning “the source of utmost goodness.” This divine name embodies expansive generosity, righteousness, and boundless mercy. These attributes are found in their infinite form in Allah ‘azza wajall. He has also granted His chosen servants the ability to reflect this special attribute.
In the Arabic lexicon, the term barr refers to “land”. Since land is typically vast and open, the word birr conveys the concept of open-handedness and refers to expansive acts of goodness. According to Tafsīr-e Namūneh, the Quran describes birr as encompassing all aspects of goodness in both belief and action. This is defined in the verse of birr as belief in Allah, the Day of Judgment, and the Prophets, alongside acts of charity, supporting the needy and performing prayers. (Q 2:177)
The verse in context highlights an essential pillar of birr: Giving generously in the way of Allah does not mean giving anything or giving what one does not value (Q 2:267). Instead, birr involves a special kind of giving—offering what one loves most (mimma tuhibbūn). This form of charity serves as a measure of a believer’s faith and devotion to Allah (swt). Those who give in this selfless manner are called the abrār, in the Quran.
When a person gives away what is most dear to him, it becomes one of the greatest acts of worship, surpassing even prayers and fasting. Giving wealth is often challenging because of the deep connection humans have with their possessions. The Quran recognizes this attachment and reminds us that the state of birr can only be attained by breaking free from such worldly ties. Allah ‘subhānahu wata‘ālā in His infinite mercy, acknowledges the difficulty of this sacrifice and promises immense rewards in paradise for the abrār.
It is reported that Imam Ali ‘alayhis-salām once purchased a garment he liked but then gave it in charity, saying: I heard the Holy Prophet (s) saying: ‘Whoever gives in charity something they love, Allah will reward them with paradise.'(Majmaʿ al-Bayān, 2:796). Those who spend in this way, have a higher purpose in mind. A person cannot truly give away what is loved unless it is a means to attain something even more beloved. This shows that pleasing Allah (swt) is dearer to them than pleasing themselves. Such people are the true righteous servants of Allah and are classified as the abrār
The Quran describes the reward of abrār as:
إِنَّ الْأَبْرَارَ لَفِي نَعِيمٍ
عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ يَنظُرُونَ
تَعْرِفُ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ نَضْرَةَ النَّعِيمِ
يُسْقَوْنَ مِن رَّحِيقٍ مَّخْتُومٍ
خِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌ ۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُونَ
Indeed, the righteous will be in bliss, upon adorned couches, observing. You will recognize in their faces the radiance of bliss. They will be given to drink [pure] wine, sealed. Its seal will be of musk, and for this let the competitors compete. (Q 83:22–26)
Sayyida Fatima ‘alayhas-salaām exemplified birr through her selflessness. On her wedding night, when a beggar approached her asking for a dress, she gave away her new wedding gown. The Quran also honours her sacrifice when she, along with her family, gave her portion of food to a beggar, an orphan, and a captive on three consecutive days. Allah (swt) praises this act in the Holy Quran:
وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
And they give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive (Q76:8).
As we commemorate the death anniversary of the leader of the women of the worlds, we pray to Allah to instil within us the quality of goodness (birr) and to make us among the abrār—those who give with open hearts and hands. May we be among the righteous who support the oppressed and strive for the hastening of the reappearance of Imam Al-Mahdī ‘ajjallāhu farajah. Āmīn
Resources: ‘Allāmah Muhammad Husayn Tabātabā’ī, Tafsīr al-Mīzān: Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh: Majlisi, Shaykh Tabarsī, Tafsīr Majma‘ al-Bayān; Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, Tafsīr al-Kabīr.