Herein under, we share the 15th verse of Surah 64. At-Taghābun and will try to understand the explanation of this important verse:
The Verse
إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Your wealth and your children are but a trial (fitnah), whereas with Allah is an immense reward.”
Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)
Surah At-Taghābun was revealed in Madinah, and its central theme is faith, accountability, and the test of worldly attachments. This verse directly follows earlier verses (64:14) that warn believers that even family ties can sometimes become a distraction from obeying Allah.
In verse 14, Allah says:
“O you who believe! Indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them…”
Then, verse 15 clarifies that this is not to abandon love for them, but to see them as a test (fitnah) — a means through which Allah examines one’s loyalty, patience, and obedience.
This is a very complex situation that merits such a caution from God as to alert believers' hearts so that they do not allow such feelings and pressures to creep into their minds. The caution is stated again, this time as a warning against the temptation presented by wealth and children. The Arabic word used here is fitnah فِتْنَةٌ, which conveys two meanings:
- The first is 'trial', which makes the verse mean that God puts you to trial by giving you riches and children. He tests you in this way, so always be on the alert in order to pass your test and dedicate yourself to God.
- The second meaning is 'temptation', and in this sense the verse means that riches and children present temptations for you to indulge in sin.
Meaning and Explanation
“Your wealth and your children are but a trial (fitnah)”
- Allah reminds us that both wealth and family are blessings, but they can also divert one from obedience if one’s heart becomes overly attached to them.
- Fitnah here means a test of sincerity — will you obey Allah when your wealth or family pull you in another direction?
- It tests:
- Whether you spend wealth in Allah’s cause or hoard it.
- Whether you raise your children in faith or let them lead you away from it.
- Whether you prioritize dunya (worldly life) or ākhirah (the hereafter).
“And with Allah is an immense reward”
- Allah promises that those who resist the temptations of wealth and family — and use them in righteous ways — will receive a great reward.
- It shifts our focus: the true goal isn’t comfort in this world, but eternal success with Allah.
Supporting Verses
- Surah Al-Anfāl (8:28):
- “And know that your wealth and your children are but a trial, and that Allah has with Him a great reward.”
- Almost identical wording, emphasizing that this is a recurring warning.
- Surah Al-Munāfiqūn (63:9): “O you who believe! Let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – it is they who are the losers.”
- Surah Al-Kahf (18:46): “Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the enduring good deeds are better with your Lord for reward and for hope.”
Prophetic Teachings (Hadith)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
- “The son of Adam says: ‘My wealth, my wealth.’ But, O son of Adam, have you any wealth except that which you gave in charity and thus spent, or that which you consumed, or that which you wore out?” — Sahih Muslim (2958)
- “Indeed, the world is sweet and green, and Allah is making you successors in it, so He will see how you act.” — Sahih Muslim (2742)
Both hadiths teach that worldly blessings are not evil — but they are temporary trusts and tests.
Lessons for Today
As we said before, this subject is very difficult to understand and act upon. Many of us may not pass this test as we often prefer the needs of our family and doll out our money for their needs, rather than setting our goal to please and prefer Allah over every wordily thing. That is to say:
- Wealth and children are blessings, not goals: They are entrusted to us to use responsibly in obedience to Allah.
- Prioritize the eternal over the temporary: Love your family — but love Allah more. Use wealth — but for righteous causes.
- The real reward is with Allah: If you sacrifice worldly ease for the sake of faith, Allah promises ajr ʿaẓīm — a tremendous reward.
- Balance is key: Islam doesn’t ask us to abandon family or possessions, but to not let them control our hearts. Let not love of wealth and family override our hearts from remembrance of Allah.
The next verse then asks believer to:
Hold Allah in awe as much as you can, and listen and obey, and be charitable. This is for your own good. And whoever remains safe from his own greediness, it is such that will prosper. (64:16)
In Short, 64:15 teaches that the believer’s true test lies not in hardship, but in how he handles blessings.
The wealth and family we love can either lift us toward Allah — or, if misused, pull us away from Him.
Here one should also keep in view the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying which Tabarani has related on the authority of Abu Malik al-Ashari, saying: Your real enemy is not he whom, if you kill there is success for you, and if he kills you, there is Paradise for you; but your real enemy may be your own child who is born of your own loins, or the wealth of which you are the owner. That is why here as well as in Surah 8. Al-Anfaal, Ayat 28), Allah says: If you save yourselves from the temptation and allurements of worldly possessions and children and succeed in keeping love of them subject to the love of Allah, there are rich rewards for you with Allah.
You may like to explanation of this verse by some of the eminent scholars of present times from our earlier post, link given below:
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.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
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.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment