[And gave a little, then stopped], 'Ikrimah interpreted this, saying: He gave a little, then ceased giving.
Muhammad said: The root of the word is from the 'kudyah' (the hard layer) of a well, which is the solidity found within it. When the digger reaches it, he despairs of digging further and stops. Thus, it is said of anyone who seeks something but does not reach its end, or who gives but does not complete the act: 'akda' (he stopped/ceased).
Yahya said: Regarding His saying: [Gave a little], it is only considered 'little' because it was not for the sake of Allah.
﴿وَأعْطى قَلِيلا وأكدى﴾ تَفْسِير عِكْرِمَة قَالَ: أعْطى قَلِيلا ثمَّ قطعه.
قَالَ محمدٌ: وأصل الْكَلِمَة من كُدْيَة الْبِئْر، وَهِي الصَّلابة فِيهَا، وَإِذا بلغَهَا الْحَافِر يئس من حفرهَا؛ فَقطع الْحفر، فَقيل لكل من طلب شَيْئا فَلم يبلغ آخِره وَأعْطى وَلم يتمم: أَكْدَى.
قَالَ يحيى: قَوْله: ﴿أعْطى قَلِيلا﴾ إنَّمَا قل؛ لأنَّه كَانَ لغير الله.
