And as a confirmation from themselves, and to affirm it by spending wealth, which is akin to the soul. Spending it is the hardest thing for the self compared to all other difficult acts of worship and to faith. For when the self is burdened by forcing it to do what is difficult for it, it becomes submissive to its owner, and its desire to follow its whims diminishes. Conversely, spending wealth serves to strengthen it in faith and certainty. It may also be meant: and as a confirmation of Islam, and a realization of the reward from the essence of themselves. For when a Muslim spends his wealth in the way of Allah, he knows that his confirmation and belief in the reward comes from the essence of his self and the sincerity of his heart. 'And' in the first interpretation is for partitive, like in their saying: he shook from his side, and he moved from his energy. In the second interpretation, it is for the beginning of the goal, as Allah, the Exalted, says: (envy from within themselves). It is possible that the meaning is: and a confirmation from themselves among the believers that they are sincere in faith. This is supported by the reading of Mujahid: and a clarification from themselves. If you say: what is the meaning of partitive? I say: its meaning is that whoever spends his wealth for the sake of Allah has confirmed part of his self, and whoever spends his wealth and soul together is the one who has confirmed all of it. (And strive in the way of Allah with your wealth and your selves). The meaning is: and the example of their spending, whether much or little, in the sight of Allah is like a garden on a hill, in a high place. It is specified because the trees in it are more fragrant and bear better fruit. If it is struck by a heavy rain, it yields its fruit double what it would have produced because of the rain. If it is not struck by heavy rain, then a light drizzle, a small rain is sufficient for the generosity of its growth. Or like their state with Allah is like the garden on the hill, and their spending, whether much or little, is like the heavy rain and the drizzle. Just as each of the two types of rain increases the yield of the garden, so too is their spending, whether much or little—after seeking the face of Allah and exerting their utmost—purifying in the sight of Allah, increasing their closeness and good standing with Him. It is read: like a seed, and on a hill—with the three vowel markings—and its yield with two dhammas.