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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
[And give] unto [such of] the needy who, being wholly wrapped up in God's cause, are unable to go about the earth [in search of livelihood]. He who is unaware [of their condition] might think that they are wealthy, because they abstain [from begging]; [but] thou canst recognize them by their special mark: they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever good you may spend [on them], verily, God knows it all
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Charity is˺ for the needy who are too engaged in the cause of Allah to move about in the land ˹for work˺. Those unfamiliar with their situation will think they are not in need ˹of charity˺ because they do not beg. You can recognize them by their appearance. They do not beg people persistently. Whatever you give in charity is certainly well known to Allah.
Safi Kaskas   
Give to the poor who are wholly committed to the path of God and who are unable to travel in the land. The unaware considers them rich because of their self-restraint. You will recognize them by their character traits. They are not always asking people to help them. God knows what you contribute.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
لِلۡفُقَرَاۤءِ ٱلَّذِینَ أُحۡصِرُوا۟ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا یَسۡتَطِیعُونَ ضَرۡبࣰا فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ یَحۡسَبُهُمُ ٱلۡجَاهِلُ أَغۡنِیَاۤءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعۡرِفُهُم بِسِیمَـٰهُمۡ لَا یَسۡءَلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلۡحَافࣰاۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنۡ خَیۡرࣲ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِیمٌ ۝٢٧٣
Transliteration (2021)   
lil'fuqarāi alladhīna uḥ'ṣirū fī sabīli l-lahi lā yastaṭīʿūna ḍarban fī l-arḍi yaḥsabuhumu l-jāhilu aghniyāa mina l-taʿafufi taʿrifuhum bisīmāhum lā yasalūna l-nāsa il'ḥāfan wamā tunfiqū min khayrin fa-inna l-laha bihi ʿalīmu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
For the poor, those who are wrapped up in (the) way (of) Allah, not they are able (to) move about in the earth. Think (about) them, the ignorant one, (that they are) self-sufficient (because) of (their) restraint, you recognize them by their mark. Not (do) they ask the people with importunity. And whatever you spend of good, then indeed, Allah of it (is) All-Knower.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
[And give] unto [such of] the needy who, being wholly wrapped up in God's cause, are unable to go about the earth [in search of livelihood]. He who is unaware [of their condition] might think that they are wealthy, because they abstain [from begging]; [but] thou canst recognize them by their special mark: they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever good you may spend [on them], verily, God knows it all
M. M. Pickthall   
(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
(Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Charity is˺ for the needy who are too engaged in the cause of Allah to move about in the land ˹for work˺. Those unfamiliar with their situation will think they are not in need ˹of charity˺ because they do not beg. You can recognize them by their appearance. They do not beg people persistently. Whatever you give in charity is certainly well known to Allah.
Safi Kaskas   
Give to the poor who are wholly committed to the path of God and who are unable to travel in the land. The unaware considers them rich because of their self-restraint. You will recognize them by their character traits. They are not always asking people to help them. God knows what you contribute.
Wahiduddin Khan   
The needy, who are too engrossed in God's cause to be able to travel about the land in search of a livelihood, are considered by those who are unaware of their condition to be free from want, because they refrain from begging. But they can be known from their appearance. They do not make insistent demands upon people. Whatever wealth you spend, God knows it
Shakir   
(Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah-- they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognise them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Spend for the poor, those who were restrained in the way of God and are not able to travel on the earth. The one who is ignorant assumes them to be rich because of their having reserve. Thou wilt recognize them by their mark. They ask not persistently of humanity. And whatever of good you spend, then, truly, God is Knowing of that.
T.B.Irving   
Take care of the poor who, being totally absorbed in working for God´s cause, cannot manage to travel [freely] around the earth seeking their livelihood. An ignorant person might assume they are rich because of their modesty; yet you will recognize them from their features: they do not make insistent demands on people. Yet God is Aware of any money you may so spend.
Abdul Hye   
Charity is for the poor who are restricted (from travel) for the cause of Allah, they are not able to move about to work in the earth. The ignorant people think them as wealthy because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark; they don’t beg people with repeated demands. Whatever good you spend, surely Allah knows about that well.
The Study Quran   
[It is] for the poor who are constrained in the way of God, who are not able to travel the earth. The ignorant one supposes them to be wealthy because of their restraint. Thou knowest them by their mark: they do not ask of people importunately. And whatever good you spend, truly God knows it
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
For the poor who are restrained in God’s path, unable to work in the land. The ignorant person thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. You can identify them by their marks. They don’t ask people persistently. Whatever good you give, God is fully aware of it.
Talal Itani (2012)   
It is for the poor; those who are restrained in the way of God, and unable to travel in the land. The unaware would think them rich, due to their dignity. You will recognize them by their features. They do not ask from people insistently. Whatever charity you give, God is aware of it.
Dr. Kamal Omar   
(Spend) for those in need who got involved in the cause of Allah and have no capacity to move about on the land (earning money); the ignorant thinks them rich because of their attitude and behaviour, (but) you shall recognise them by their marks: they put no demand to the people with importunity (and show grace and integrity). And whatever you spend out of your wealth, then surely Allah is All-Aware of it
M. Farook Malik   
Charity is for those needy people who are engaged so much in the cause of Allah that they cannot move about in the land to earn their livelihood: the ignorant think that they are wealthy on account of their modest behavior. You can recognize them by their look because they do not make insistent demands on people. Whatever you spend on them, surely Allah knows it
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
(It is) for the poor who are detained in the way of Allah, (and) are unable to strike (i.e. journey in the land) in the earth. The ignorant man reckons them rich because of (their) regular abstinence. You recognize them by their mark; they do not ask of mankind importunately, and whatever charity you expend, then surely Allah is Ever-Knowing of it
Muhammad Sarwar   
(If the recipients of charity are) the poor whose poverty, because of their striving for the cause of God, has become an obstacle for them, and who do not have the ability to travel in the land, they seem rich compared to the ignorant, because of their modest behavior. You would know them by their faces. They would never earnestly ask people for help. God knows well whatever wealth you spend for the cause of God
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
(Your charities should be preferably meant) for the needy who are confined in the way of Allah, unable to travel in the land. An ignorant person takes them as free of need because of their abstinence. You know them by their appearance (from begging). They do not beg people importunately, and whatever good thing you spend, Allah is All-Aware of it
Shabbir Ahmed   
And give to the needy who are suffering in the Cause of Allah and cannot emigrate and those who are unable to go about the earth in search of livelihood. One, who is unaware of their condition, might think they are free from want, because they abstain from begging. But you can recognize them by the marks on their faces because they do not ask people insistently. Whatever good thing you spend on them, Allah is Aware of it
Dr. Munir Munshey   
(Charity is most appropriate) for those who are impoverished because they are (engaged and engrossed) in the cause of Allah, and are restricted (in their ability to earn). They cannot travel and move about in the world (in search of livelihood). Because of their modesty, those who are ignorant (of their circumstances), consider them well to do. You can recognize them by their features. They do not entreat and beg people for help. Allah is indeed very well Aware of anything you spend (in His cause)
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
(Charity is) for those in need, those in Allah’s cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, searching (for work). The ones may without knowing think, Because of their modesty that they are free from want. You shall know them by their (constant) habit: They do not beg openly from all and everyone. And whatever good you give, be sure Allah knows it well
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah , unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
As for the poor who face hardship in the cause of God, and they cannot leave the land; the ignorant ones think they are rich from their modesty; you know them by their features, they do not ask the people repeatedly. And what you spend out of goodness, God is fully aware of it
Abdel Haleem   
[Give] to those needy who are wholly occupied in God’s way and cannot travel in the land [for trade]. The unknowing might think them rich because of their self-restraint, but you will recognize them by their characteristic of not begging persistently. God is well aware of any good you give
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Alms are for the poor who are restricted in the way of Allah, disabled from going about in the land. The (unknowing taketh them for the affluent because of their modesty thou I wouldst recognise them by their appearance: they ask not of men with importunity. And whatsoever ye shall expend of good, verily Allah is thereof Knowe
Ahmed Ali   
(Give to) the needy who are engaged in the service of God who are not able to move about in the land, whom the ignorant consider to be affluent as they refrain from asking. You can know them from their faces for they do not ask of men importunately. God is surely cognisant of good things that you spend
Aisha Bewley   
It is for the poor who are held back in the Way of Allah, unable to travel in the land. The ignorant consider them rich because of their reticence. You will know them by their mark. They do not ask from people insistently. Whatever good you give away, Allah knows it.
Ali Ünal   
That (which you spend) is for the poor who, having dedicated themselves to God’s cause, are in distressed circumstances. They are unable to move about the earth (to render service in God’s cause and earn their livelihood). Those who are unaware (of their circumstances) suppose them wealthy because of their abstinence and dignified bearing, but you will know them by their countenance – they do not beg of people importunately. And whatever good you spend, surely God has full knowledge of it
Ali Quli Qara'i   
[The charities are] for the poor who are straitened in the way of Allah, not capable of moving about in the land [for trade]. The unaware suppose them to be well-off because of their reserve. You recognize them by their mark; they do not ask the people importunately. And whatever wealth you may spend, Allah indeed knows it
Hamid S. Aziz   
(Alms are for) the poor who are straitened in Allah´s way, and cannot travel about in the earth. The ignorant think them to be rich because of their modesty; you will know them by their mark, they do not beg from men with importunity; but what you
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
(Spend) for the poor who are restricted in God's way and cannot travel on the earth, but the ignorant ones assume that they are rich because of their self-respect, you know them by their appearance, and they do not ask (beg) people insistently. And anything good you spend, indeed God knows about it.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
It is for those in need, who in God's cause, are restricted and cannot move around in the land to seek opportunity. The ignorant person thinks because of their modesty, that they are free from want. You will know them by their mark, not by them constantly begging. And whatever good you give, be assured God knows it well
Musharraf Hussain   
Give charityto the poor who are completely absorbed working in the way of Allah, unable to travel about the land to earn their livelihood. Because of their modest behaviour some ignorant peopleconsider them wealthy. You can recognise them from their facial expression and the fact that they do not make demands on people. Whatever good things you give in charity, Allah knows it well.
Maududi   
Those who are engaged so much in the cause of Allah that they cannot move about in the land to earn their livelihood and are, therefore, in straitened circumstances, specially deserve help. An ignorant person would suppose them to be well off because of their self-respect; you can know their real condition from their faces, for they are not the ones who would beg of people with importunity. And Allah will surely know whatever you will spend on them
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
For the poor who face hardship in the cause of God, they cannot go forth in the land; the ignorant ones think they are rich from their modesty; you know them by their features, they do not ask the people repeatedly. And what you spend out of goodness, God is fully aware of it.
Mohammad Shafi   
For those needy people, confined to Allah's Path, unable to move about in the land, and whom the ignorant do not consider to be poor because of the abstinence. You recognize them by their looks. They do not ask for things from people persistently. And Allah indeed becomes instantly aware of anything you spend

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
For those beggars who are detained in the way of Allah, they cannot move about in the earth. The ignorant man thinks them wealthy because of their restraint. You shall recognise them from their faces; they do not beg of men importunately. And whatever you give in charity Allah knows it.
Rashad Khalifa   
Charity shall go to the poor who are suffering in the cause of GOD, and cannot emigrate. The unaware may think that they are rich, due to their dignity. But you can recognize them by certain signs; they never beg from the people persistently. Whatever charity you give, GOD is fully aware thereof.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
(Charity is) for the poor who are restrained in the way of Allah, and are unable to journey in the land. The ignorant take them to be rich because of their abstinence. But you can recognize them by their signs. They do not persistently beg people. Whatever good you give is known to Allah
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
(Charity) is for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah, they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging). Thou canst recognize them by their maker -- they beg not of men importunately. And whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah is Knower of it
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
For the poor , those who were restricted/surrounded in God's way/sake , they are not able (to go) moving/traveling in the earth/Planet Earth, the ignorant/foolish thinks/supposes them (as) rich from the purity/refrainment (dignity), you know them by their expressions/marks , they do not ask/question the people persistently , and what you spend from goodness/wealth , so that God (is) with it knowledgeable
Bijan Moeinian   
Those who are persecuted are entitled to charity. They are dignified people who give an appearance of being in no need to the ignorant people. They rarely ask for help; however, you can recognize them through certain signs. Any charitable expenditure by you is well known and appreciated by God
Faridul Haque   
(Spend) For the poor who are restricted while in Allah's cause, who cannot travel in the land (for earning) - the unwise think they are wealthy because of their restraint; you will recognise them by their faces; they do not seek from people in order to avoid grovelling; and Allah knows whatever you spend in charity
Sher Ali   
Alms are for the poor who are detained in the way of ALLAH and are unable to move about in the land. The ignorant man imagines them to be free from want because of their abstaining from begging. Thou shalt know them by their appearance, they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever of wealth you spend, Surely ALLAH has perfect knowledge thereof
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
(Charity is) the right of those poor who have been restricted (from earning their livelihood) in the cause of Allah. They cannot even move about in the land (due to their whole time involvement in matters of Din [Religion]). Because of their (ascetic) aversion to greed, the unwise (knowing little about their state of heart and soul) consider them wealthy. You will recognize them from their appearance. They do not ask people (for help) at all lest they should humble themselves (before them). And whatever wealth you give in charity, Allah indeed knows it well
Amatul Rahman Omar   
(These charities are meant) for those needy who are (so) confined in the way of Allah that they are unable to move about in the land (for providing their sustenance). The person ignorant (of their condition) thinks them free from want, because of (their) abstaining (from begging). But you shall know them by their appearance (that they are in need). They do not beg of people with importunity. And whatever good thing you spend (for their help) Allah knows it surely well
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
(Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allahs Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
it being for the poor who are restrained in the way of God, and are unable to journey in the land; the ignorant man supposes them rich because of their abstinence, but thou shalt know them by their mark -- they do not beg of men importunately. And whatever good you expend, surely God has knowledge of it
George Sale   
unto the poor who are wholly employed in fighting for the religion of God, and cannot go to and fro in the earth; whom the ignorant man thinketh rich, because of their modesty: Thou shalt know them by this mark, they ask not men with importunity; and what good ye shall give in alms, verily God knoweth it
Edward Henry Palmer   
unto the poor who are straitened in God's way, and cannot knock about in the earth. The ignorant think them to be rich because of their modesty; you will know them by their mark, they do not beg from men importunately; but what ye spend of good God knows
John Medows Rodwell   
There are among you the poor, who being shut up to fighting for the cause of God, have it not in their power to strike out into the earth for riches. Those who know them not, think them rich because of their modesty. By this their token thou shalt know them - they ask not of men with importunity: and of whatever good thing ye shall give them in alms, of a truth God will take knowledge
N J Dawood (2014)   
As for the poor who are preoccupied with fighting in the cause of God, and cannot travel the land in quest of a livelihood: the ignorant take them for men of wealth on account of their modest behaviour. But you recognize them by their look ― they never importune people for alms. Whatever alms you give are known to God

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
It is for the poor who have been confined in the way of Allah, they are incapable to travel in the land [for trade]; the one who is ignorant [of their state] will think that they are well to do due to the self continence. You will recognise them by their marks. They do not ask people importunately. Whatever you spend of good, truly Allah is All-knowing about it.
Munir Mezyed   
Alms are for the poor who are totally engaged in striving for cause of Allâh and cannot (mange) to travel through the land. The ignorant thinks that they are rich because of their abstinence. You may know them by their appearance. They do not persistently beg people. Whatever good thing you spend, Allâh is Fully Aware of it.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
For the poor who are constrained in the way of Allah unable to travel on earth; the ignorant considers them to be rich due to (their) modesty, you can tell them by their sign, they do not ask people incessantly, and any good you spend, Allah knows of it.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Those in need include those who are restricted in service to Allah because they are immobile and cannot work. The ignorant person thinks that, because of their meekness, they are free from need. You will recognize them by their handicaps. They do not beg annoyingly from everybody. Whatever goodness you give, you can be assured that Allah knows it well.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
(Donations are) for the poor—those who are detained (for striving) in the way of Allah, unable to travel in the land (for livelihood). Anyone ignorant (of their condition) would think them rich due to their self-restraint. Yousg recognize them by their mark (of poverty)—they do not ask from people insistently. And whatever good youpl spend—Allah is indeed All-Knowing of it.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Take care of the poor who, being totally absorbed in working for Allah (God)'s cause, cannot manage to travel [freely] around the earth seeking their livelihood. An ignorant person might assume they are rich because of their modesty; yet you will recognize them from their features: they do not make insistent demands on people. Yet Allah (God) is Aware of any money you may so spend.
Samy Mahdy   
For the poor; those who are restrained in Allah’s pathway, and unable to find sort of livelihood on the earth. The ignorant would consider them rich, from the chastity. You will recognize them with their marks. They do not ask the people insistently. And whatever among goodness you spend, so surely Allah is with it, Knowledgeable.
Ahmed Hulusi   
(Your unrequited giving) is for the needy who have fully submitted themselves to the way of Allah without sparing any time to work for worldly sustenance. And because they refrain from asking, one who has no insight into their situation would think they are wealthy, but you will recognize them from their faces. They will never shamelessly ask for something from another. Thus, whatever good you give, surely Allah is Aleem of it.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
(Charity is) for the poor who are restrained in the way of Allah, and are unable to move about in the land. The unaware consider them wealthy because of their restraint (from begging) . You shall recognize them by their countenance - they do not beg people importunately. And whatever of good things you give, then Allah is All-Knowing of it
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Among you are those who truly deserve benefaction; they have been restrained from earning their livelihood because they participated in the war of belief against unbelief. They keep up appearances exhibiting to those unacquainted with them a happy expression and satisfaction because their modesty obstructs their tongues. You know them by their appearance speaking a different language; they do not solicit peoples’ ears for charity. And whatever you spend in divine service comes to Allah’s Knowledge
Mir Aneesuddin   
(Charity is) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah, they cannot travel in the land, the ignorant person considers them to be free of want because of (their) abstaining (from begging), you can recognise them from their marks, they do not beg from people, being troublesome by demanding frequently; and whatever you spend of good, then Allah is certainly the Knower of it.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
(Charity is) for those in need, who, in God's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured God knoweth it well
OLD Literal Word for Word   
For the poor, those who are wrapped up in (the) way (of) Allah, not they are able (to) move about in the earth. Think (about) them, the ignorant one, (that they are) self-sufficien (because) of (their) restraint, you recognize them by their mark. Not (do) they ask the people with importunity. And whatever you spend of good, then indeed, Allah of it (is) All-Knower
OLD Transliteration   
Lilfuqara-i allatheena ohsiroo fee sabeeli Allahi la yastateeAAoona darban fee al-ardi yahsabuhumu aljahilu aghniyaa mina alttaAAaffufi taAArifuhum biseemahum la yas-aloona alnnasa ilhafan wama tunfiqoo min khayrin fa-inna Allaha bihi AAaleemun