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la-qad samiʿa llāhu qawla lladhīna qālū ʾinna llāha faqīrun wa-naḥnu ʾaghniyāʾu sa-naktubu mā qālū wa-qatlahumu l-ʾanbiyāʾa bi-ghayri ḥaqqin wa-naqūlu dhūqū ʿadhāba l-ḥarīqi
Allah has certainly heard the remark of those who said, ‘Allah is poor and we are rich.’ We will record what they have said, and their killing of the prophets unjustly, and We shall say, ‘Taste the punishment of the burning.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah 'Ali-Imran, Verse 181
Jewish carping at the Apostle's calling for subscriptions - the Jews rejecting every prophet who did not follow the Mosaic Law - Muslims to bear losses and hardships
181. "Allah has certainly heard the statement of those who said: 'Verily Allah is poor and we are rich '. We shall record what they state and their slaying the prophets unjustly; and We will say: 'Taste the torment of burning'."
The Occasion of Revelation
This verse and the next one are revealed upon the reproach and blame of the Jews. The Prophet (S) had a letter written to Bani Qinqa', the Jew, in which he invited them to performing prayers; paying alms, and giving loan to the Lord. (The purpose of the last part of this sentence is spending out in the way of Allah that which is stated in this form in order to move the feelings of men). The agent of the Prophet (S) entered a house which was the center of teaching the Jewish religious subjects and it was called 'Bayt-ul-Madaris'.
He handed the letter to Fanhas, a great Jewish learned man. After reading the letter, he mockingly said: "If your statements are true, it should be said that Allah is poor and we are rich, for if He were not poor, He would not ask us for loan." "In addition to that, Muhammad (S) believes Allah has prohibited you (Muslims) from usury while he himself promises you interest and increase of wealth for giving charity." But, when these two verses were revealed, Fanhas denied confessing he had said these words.
In this verse, it says:
Therefore, their denial was useless. Then, the Lord says not only We hear their words, but also.
Recording and accounting their deeds is for that their total accomplishments will be put before them on the Reckoning Day in order that they see the fruit of their actions.