[277] The comparison here is made between nominal piety which is shallow and superficial as opposed to sincere, heart-earned piety which is deep and life defining. Here, God gives examples of what constitutes sincere piety (birr) in His Eye, prominent among which are acts of the heart; these are a truer translation of the Belief that resides in the heart. Aya 177 also comes as a prelude paving the way to the laws (Divine prescriptions for the Believing community) that are introduced in Ayas 178-209: retribution, distribution of inheritance, fasting, fighting, fair financial dealings and Hajj. All these laws are hard for people whose piety is not genuine but rather feigned. For those who have entered into the sphere of Faith wholly and wholeheartedly (Aya 209), however, this is not so.
[278] That comes after Resurrection.
[279] The Qur’an uses the expression ‘the son of the road’ (ibn al-sabīl), for those who are left without means whilst travelling, being away from home, and those who can extend a helping hand in such times of need.
[280] Manumitting slaves from bondage and/or ransoming those to be executed for unintentional manslaughter by donating blood money.
[281] That is Zakah.
[282] The meaning of al-ba’sā’ is not specified in this aya and can be varyingly translated according to the stand the translator takes. al-Shinqīṭī gives reference to Aya 33:18, and opines here that it means heated or ardent fighting in battle (cf. also al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[283] Qiṣāṣ, translated here as retribution, is exacting justice on one who commits a crime in a manner equal to the crime committed. In the Qur’an it is associated with either murder or causing bodily harm. The person who commits such a crime is punished in like manner: killing or injury and, thus, an eye for an eye.
[284] The living relative who takes charge of the victim’s affairs. Usually the brother.
[285] Blood money. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, al-Saʿdī)
[286] By harming the murderer.
[287] This exacting of due justice on murderers works as a deterrent and guarantees the whole society a peaceful and equitable way of existence.
[288] The distribution of inheritance should be fair and even.
[289] The will of the deceased.