They ask you about wine1 and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allāh makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought
Translation: Saheeh International (English)
1 The word "khamr" (wine) includes all intoxicants. The final prohibition is given in 5:90-91.
وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِۖand [the] games of chancewal-maysiri
قُلۡSayqul
فِيهِمَآIn both of themfīhimā
إِثۡمٞ(is) a sinith'mun
كَبِيرٞgreatkabīrun
وَمَنَٰفِعُand (some) benefitswamanāfiʿu
لِلنَّاسِfor [the] peoplelilnnāsi
وَإِثۡمُهُمَآBut sin of both of themwa-ith'muhumā
أَكۡبَرُ(is) greaterakbaru
مِنthanmin
نَّفۡعِهِمَاۗ(the) benefit of (the) twonafʿihimā
وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَAnd they ask youwayasalūnaka
مَاذَاwhatmādhā
يُنفِقُونَۖthey (should) spendyunfiqūna
قُلِSayquli
ٱلۡعَفۡوَۗThe surplusl-ʿafwa
كَذَٰلِكَThuskadhālika
يُبَيِّنُmakes clearyubayyinu
ٱللَّهُAllahl-lahu
لَكُمُto youlakumu
ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ[the] Versesl-āyāti
لَعَلَّكُمۡso that you maylaʿallakum
تَتَفَكَّرُونَpondertatafakkarūna
Tafsir
O Prophet! Your Companions ask you about wine (which refers to anything that impairs the mind or intoxicates it), with respect to the legal aspects of drinking, selling and purchasing it. They also ask you about gambling (which refers to wealth taken in a competition between two people in which both contribute to the winning total). Say in response to them: They both have many spiritual and material harms, such as loss of intellect and wealth and the creation of hatred and enmity. On the other hand, there are a few benefits, such as financial reward for the winner of a bet. However, the harm and sin resulting from them is greater than the benefit; so, a logical person should avoid such actions. This statement of Allah lays the foundation for the prohibition of wine. They also ask you, O Prophet, about the amount that they should spend in charity. Say in reply to them: Spend whatever is easy and in excess of your needs. With such clear explanations, Allah describes the sacred law to you so that you may reflect. Initially, this was the law regarding charity, but later Allah established the obligation of Zakat, which requires paying a set amount on certain possessions, if one has owned such possessions for a particular period of time.