His saying, the Almighty: "They ask you what they should spend." Meaning: charity. "Say: The al-afw (surplus)." Al-Hasan’s interpretation is: That which is in excess of your own sustenance or the sustenance of your dependents.

Yahya said: This was before the verse of Zakat was revealed.

Muhammad said: His saying "al-afw"—whoever reads it with a fatha (accusative case) does so based on the meaning: Say, 'Spend the surplus.' And whoever reads it with a damma (nominative case) does so based on the meaning: What they spend is the surplus. Al-afw in the language means: the surplus and the abundance. It is said: 'Afa al-qawm' (the people have multiplied) when they have become numerous.

Yahya narrated from Abu al-Ashhab, from al-Hasan, from the Prophet (peace be upon him) who said: "The best of charity is that which is given from remaining wealth, and begin with those whom you support. The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and Allah does not blame one for providing what is sufficient (al-kafa')."

His saying, the Almighty: "Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses, that you might give thought to the worldly life and the Hereafter." Qatadah’s interpretation: Meaning that the worldly life is an abode of trial and transience, and that the Hereafter is an abode of recompense and permanence.