Last updated: 14 October 2026 | Written for Eid ul Adha 2027
Qurbani Easy Editorial Team • Advised by our panel of Islamic scholars
Quick Answer: Quran 2:271 says giving charity publicly is good, but giving privately to the poor is better, and Quran 2:274 praises those who spend secretly and openly. A hadith lists the person who gives so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right has given among the seven in Allah’s shade. The tafsir on quran.com says scholars agree that hiding voluntary charity is better, with two opinions on Zakat.
Some people give quietly and never speak of it; others give in public so that others may follow. The Quran has both in view. Here is what the verses and the report say, and what the tafsir we opened adds.
The Quran
To give charity publicly is good, but to give to the poor privately is better for you, and will absolve you of your sins. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
Quran 2:271, translation as shown on quran.com
Those who spend their wealth in charity day and night, secretly and openly—their reward is with their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.
Quran 2:274, translation as shown on quran.com
The hadith
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) listed seven whom Allah would give the protection of His shade on the Day when there would be no shade but His; one of them is a person who gives charity and conceals it so that the right hand does not know what the left has given (Sahih Muslim 1031a; the same report is in Sahih al-Bukhari 660).
What the tafsir on quran.com adds
The question-and-answer tafsir shown on the quran.com page for 2:271 says that scholars agree that concealing voluntary charity is better than showing it, and that for obligatory charity (Zakat) there are two opinions: that showing it is better, and that concealing it is better. We quote this as shown on the page and do not add a ruling of our own.
A practical way to read both
Both ways are in the Quran. Which one suits a particular gift is a question for your own scholar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to give Sadaqah secretly?
Quran 2:271 says giving charity publicly is good, but giving to the poor privately is better. The tafsir shown on quran.com says scholars agree that concealing voluntary charity is better than showing it.
Is open giving wrong?
No. The same verse says giving publicly is good; the verse in 2:274 praises those who spend secretly and openly.
What about Zakat?
The tafsir text on quran.com says there are two opinions on obligatory charity: that showing it is better, and that concealing it is better. Ask your scholar.
Which hadith mentions hidden charity?
Seven people will be in Allah’s shade on the Day when there is no shade but His; one of them gives charity so secretly that the left hand does not know what the right has given (Sahih al-Bukhari 660, Sahih Muslim 1031a).
Can I book a Sadqah and write names?
Yes. Booking is open throughout the year, and the booking form asks you to write the name or names the Sadqah is for.
Related guides: small daily Sadaqah; types of Sadaqah.
Ready to give? You can give Sadqah online on our website.
Citation Sources
• Quran 2:271 (Surah Al-Baqarah) — public and private charity; checked on quran.com.
• Quran 2:274 (Surah Al-Baqarah) — spending secretly and openly; checked on quran.com.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 660 (Abu Huraira) — the seven in Allah’s shade; checked on sunnah.com.
• Sahih Muslim 1031a (Abu Huraira) — the same report; checked on sunnah.com.
This guide quotes the translation and the tafsir question-and-answer text exactly as shown on quran.com when we opened them. No school-specific ruling is stated.