Al-Baqarah 261: The example of those who spend on the path of Allah is that of a grain which grows seven ears and in which each ear has hundred grains. Allah multiplies and gives (according to their sincerity) to whoever desires from Allah. Allah is Wasi (generous in Allah’s grace) and Aleem (All-Knowing).

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 261: The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that grows seven ears; in each ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold more to whoever asks, according to his sincerity. Allah's grace is vast. He knows everything. First of all, here is a verse that has been explained wrongly. We have corrected it. We have corrected it. Let us read the corrected part of verse 261 of Surah Al-Baqarah.

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah: correct. Is like a grain that grows seven ears: correct. In each ear there are a hundred grains. That is correct too. Allah gives manifold more to whomever He wills. No. Not to whomever He wills.

Yes.

So Allah: not to whomever He wills; here, according to his sincerity. Pay attention now. Here in the parentheses there is no 'sincerity', but the (?), that is, the meaning is that. The Turkish equivalent of the verses (?). In Turkish it (?) anyway. To whoever asks, according to his sincerity, He gives manifold more. Allah's grace is vast. He knows everything. So: the example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah. Now, because it is a verse, we say this. It is a verse. I am afraid of explaining this verse. I am afraid to explain it.

My fear is that it will harm the religion of Islam. Allah knows my heart. Why are you afraid, Hodja? What is in this verse? Why would you harm the religion of Islam with this verse? What is in it that you speak like this? Look, my child. They exploited people's consciences. They drove people into bankruptcy.

They devoured the money of people working abroad, and people turned against Islam within the religion of Islam, and they turned against the hodjas too. If I too said, when He says 'strive in the way of Allah, strive with your wealth', ah, (?), they will say. By Allah, I am afraid of this. Otherwise the verse and the verses lead you to the truth, to the truth. They lead to mercy. To mercy, but as I said a moment ago, I am afraid. Because people will misunderstand. Yes. God willing, if you have come to know me, do not misunderstand. I (?) those who strive with their wealth and their lives (?). We will come across these in many verses.

I am someone who wants to get through the verse that most needs to be talked about by talking about it the least. So that people do not misunderstand and no harm comes to the religion of Islam. Yes.

Allah Almighty makes a beautiful observation for people. A comparison.

He declares that for those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, for one He will give seven hundred, and increase it even more according to their sincerity. If you ask, 'Hodja, where did you get seven hundred for one?' (?). What does He say? The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah: seven ears. One grain of seed gives seven ears. Is like a grain that grows them, one grain. It gives seven ears, and in each ear there are a hundred grains. Well, seven hundred grains. Seven hundred rewards. Look at our Lord's grace. To save people, to treat people with His compassion, His mercy, to deal with them, to bring those He created to salvation and to mercy: look at our Lord's grace to people.

Yes.

Allah Almighty makes beautiful comparisons for people, we said. He declares that for those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, for one He will give seven hundred, and according to their sincerity He will increase it even more. What does He say after that? Allah, according to sincerity, to whoever asks, that is, to whoever asks of Allah, gives manifold more. Allah's grace is vast, He says. He has power over all things. He knows everything.

Where are the places to spend in the way of Allah? If you ask: striving for Allah,

buying equipment for those going to war,

having Quran courses set up to spread Allah's religion. These are striving for Allah. It does not only mean war. Educating students, building mosques, helping the stranded traveller, the orphan, the poor and the captive, feeding them, giving them drink: such good deeds. Whoever does these for Allah, Allah multiplies their reward manifold. Allah Almighty is the Owner of grace. He is the Owner of kindness. He has put what He created at people's service.

Allah has no need of what He created. Because He has the attribute of being Ever-Living. Living, giving life to what He created, yet free of what He created. In this respect Allah is very gracious to His servants. The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that grows seven ears; in each ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold more to whoever asks, according to his sincerity. Allah's grace is vast. He is very gracious to His servants. He bestows great kindness. Allah Almighty knows everything as it truly is. He knows very well who, with what intention, helped whom and how; He is the Knower.

With what intention help was given. And that is why we said: according to his sincerity. According to his sincerity, according to his intention, Allah Almighty grants him manifold more.