(They ask thee, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend…) [2:215]. According to the report of Abu Salih, Ibn 'Abbas said: “This verse was revealed about 'Amr ibn al-Jamuh al-Ansari who was very old and wealthy. He asked the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, saying: 'O Messenger of Allah! What should we spend in charity? And on whom should we spend it?' And so this verse was revealed”. And he said, according to the report of 'Ata': “This verse was revealed concerning a man who went to the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said: 'I have one gold piece [on whom should I spend it?]' The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: 'spend it on yourself'. The man said: 'I have two gold pieces'. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: 'spend them on your family'. The man said: 'I have three gold pieces'. The Prophet said: 'spend them on your servant'. The man said: 'I have four gold pieces'. The Prophet said: 'spend them on your parents'. The man said: 'I have five gold pieces'. The Prophet said: 'Spend them on your relatives'. The man said: 'I have six gold pieces'. The Prophet said: 'Spend it in the way of Allah, and this is the best way of spending your money' ”.
Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi , trans. Mokrane Guezzou
