Envy and admiration are tangent to each other. While the latter should be the norm to appreciate others, their status and wealth, it is the Envy which more often than not takes over the positivity of admiration. And generally most of us feel unhappy or resentful because someone else has something you want — whether it’s wealth, success, beauty, talent, or even relationships. It’s not just admiring what others have — envy often carries a hint of “I wish they didn’t have it, and I had it instead.”
This was the case when the Prophet of Allah was surrounded by the wealthy pagans of Makkah who wielded power and their status mattered. And when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم looked around and found his companions, the newly reverted Muslims, devoid of any wealth or status, his heart sank for he thought these how could he ever prevail over the mighty pagans.
It is in this backdrop, that the 131st verse of Surah 20. Ta Ha was revealed, consoling Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and telling him that whatever he has been blessed with is much more what the pagans and Quraish of Makkah possessed.
The Verse
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
"And do not strain your eyes in longing for the splendor We have given some of them to enjoy—the finery of the life of this world—through which We test them. But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting." (20:131)
Context in Surah Ṭā Hā
This verse comes after Allah reminds the Prophet ﷺ of His revelation’s purpose (verses 20:124–130). It serves as guidance.
It means: It does not behoove you and your companions to be envious of the riches of the wicked people who are amassing wealth by unlawful means. The best thing for you is the lawful provision which you earn by your hard labor, even though this may be meager in quantity. That is better for the pious and righteous and is of everlasting virtue.
Key Lessons
- Worldly Wealth is a Test
- Allah gives some people wealth and beauty not as a sign of favor, but as a trial.
- True Riches are in the Hereafter
- The “provision of your Lord” (spiritual blessings, Paradise) is far superior and eternal.
- Guarding the Heart from Envy
- Looking too long at others’ fortunes can breed dissatisfaction and weaken faith.
Qur’anic Parallels
- Surah Al-Ḥijr 15:88 — "Do not let your eyes crave what We have given to certain groups among them to enjoy…" — almost identical instruction.
- Surah Al-Kahf 18:46 — "Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life; but the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope."
- Surah Al-Ḥadīd 57:20 — Describes the world as “play, amusement, adornment, mutual boasting…” and temporary.
Hadith Connections
- Wealth is not real richness: Prophet ﷺ said: "Richness is not having many possessions. Rather, true richness is richness of the soul." (Bukhārī 6446, Muslim 1051)
- Contentment is priceless: Prophet ﷺ said: "Be content with what Allah has given you and you will be the richest of people." (Tirmidhī 2305, graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ)
- Worldly comparisons discouraged: Prophet ﷺ said: "Look at those who have less than you, and do not look at those who have more, for it is more suitable that you do not belittle Allah’s favor upon you." (Muslim 2963)
Takeaway for Today
This verse calls us to:
- Avoid unhealthy comparison with others.
- Recognize material wealth as a test, not a goal.
- Anchor our sense of success in faith, good deeds, and Allah’s eternal promises.
We must therefore remember that there is plenty of splendour in this life which may appear very tempting. There are luxuries, pleasures, wealth, children, high position and power. But all this is merely a ‘flower’, to use the exact word of the Qur’ān; and like a flower, all this splendour will fade within a very brief period. Hence, they are given all this splendour to enjoy “in order that We may test them thereby.” (Verse 131) Thus, their true metal will be known by the way they use what God has favoured them with of the splendour of this life. But then they must realize that at the end of the day, “whatever provisions your Lord may give are indeed better and longer lasting.” (Verse 131) This refers to what the believers are given in the life to come. These provisions are for enjoyment, not a test. They have no special lure to turn people away from what is better. They are the better provision and they are everlasting.
Please visit our reference page: Selected verses from Sūrah Ta Ha for selected verses from Sūrah Ṭā Hā طه
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
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An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
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