Love of one's family and wealth/positional status is more often than not is the man reason why a man works or even overworks. Although love for family and wealth is natural (fitrah), yet many of us do not know (or at least try to know) that these are intentionally placed in us as a test. The Divine Wisdom behind the love and quest for more rests on one simple principle: Whether a man still loves his Creator more or his wordily relations and wealth? In fact It’s what comes first when there is a conflict between one's family/wealth and love of the Creator who provided us means of sustenance, wealth and the family.
For this very reason, we often prefer family & wealth for these are visible and provide us immediate pleasure. On the other hand we tend to defer worship of our Creator for its effects are invisible and hidden to be rewarded till the life of Hereafter (Akhirah). Human النفس naturally prefers What it can see and feel now. For this very reason, there are many a warnings in Al-Qurʾān that warn men that his wealth and children, though a Divine blessings, are only a trial and temptation. This does not however mean that one must sacrifice his family for devoting himself for the worship of God only. It means that one must always try to balance out his priorities and proportionate his attention to both - though priority to find time to always thank Allah for His countless blessings.
Here in under, we share some of the verses from AL Qur'an from different parts to impress upon our readers the Divine warnings to not to engross one self in his wordily love and forgetting his Creator altogether, and will also try to expand the core of these verses as interpreted by scholars of Islam.
Selected verses from Al Qur'an
- Surah At-Taghābun (64:15): “Your wealth and your children are only a trial (fitnah), and Allah—with Him is a عظیم (great) reward.”
- Surah Al-Anfal (8:28): “Your wealth and your children are but a trial…”
- Surah Al-Kahf (18:46): “Wealth and children are adornment of worldly life…”
- Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9): “Do not let your wealth and children distract you from the remembrance of Allah…”
Reasons of the oft repeated warnings in Al Qur'an
These warnings and cautions are repeated time and against to keep the man on the set course as defined by his Creator and not to be distracted in anyway should a conflict between the two appears as a test.
- The Apparent (Ẓāhir) Meaning:
- At the surface, although the love for wealth and children are not condemned, yet these are called a fitnah (test/trial),
- That is these can neither bring you closer to Allah nor distract you away from Him.
- Deeper Wisdom (Bāṭin)
- Fitnah is not always negative: Wealth and children are neutral tools to inculcate love among men - but these also reveal: (1) Your true priorities, and (2) Your relationship with Allah
- A Subtle distraction: The danger is not obvious sin - but it is: Being so busy earning, providing, and pleasing family that you slowly drift away from Allah.
- Competing loves:
- These verses highlight a hidden tension: Love of Wealth and Family vs Love of : Allah and rewards of the آخِرَة (Hereafter)
- The test is: Which one comes first when they conflict?
Explanation by Scholars
- Ibn Kathir
- Wealth and children are blessings but also tests of responsibility.
- The real question: Will you use them in obedience—or disobedience?
- Al-Qurtubi
- Fitnah here means something that tests your priorities.
- That is do these Distract you from Allah? or Or help you earn reward?
- Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi
- Here one should also keep in view the Holy Prophet's saying which Tabarani has related on the authority of Hadrat Abu Malik al-Ash'ari, 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 b your own child who is born of your own loins, or the wealth of which you are the owner." That is why here us well as in Al-Anfal: 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.
Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too has asked his companions to strike a balance between the two so as to be successful in the آخِرَة (Hereafter). Herein under are some authentic Hadiths:
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every nation has a trial, and the trial of my الأمة is wealth.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- “The son of آدم says: ‘My wealth, my wealth’—but what is truly yours is what you spend, eat, or give in charity…” (Sahih Muslim)
These Hadiths and the verses above mean that What you love and keep will be left behind, and What you give and worship will stay with you even after the Hereafter.
Relevance in Today’s World
In our materialistic approach to our lives, these verses and Hadiths are extremely relevant for our priorities and goal posts are at tangent with what is expected of us a true believers.
- Modern definition of success:
- Today success means Wealth (High income), career status and family comfort. But Al Qur'an reframes this priority and cautions that these These are tests, not final goals.
- “I’m doing it for my family” This is a common justification for working endlessly, thereby neglecting deen - that is skipping prayers while at work and not making up immediately after when one is free, or not giving out a penny in charity to save it for the well being of one's family. Thus the family itself can become a fitnah.
- Endless pursuit of wealth We become so engrossed with seeking Promotions and inviting our wealth in Investments for better dividends required for Lifestyle upgrades. These pursuits rob our time for Salah, recitation of Al Qur'an and reflecting over such warnings and cautions.
- Children as distraction The education and career success of our children of perfecting and developing their career skills often neglect us developing their īmān and character. This takes our children from religions and makes them more materialistic rather than better humans.
- Islam does NOT and in no way suggests to leave the pursuit of wealth and ignore our families. For wealth is necessary for the ensuring providing good life for our children and loving our families to ensure a peaceful home and resting peace of mind. Instead Islam encourages earning wealth from Halal means and not forgetting to give a part of it in charity for Allah loves those who give out charity for the better life of Have NOTs.
- Islam allows loving our families for one of the basic pillars of Islam is establishment of family rather than having affairs that are considered Haram. However, the love of family should not let us pull away from remembrance of Allah.
Practical Application Today
- Re-check priorities: Ask yourself Is my schedule centered around dunya or Allah?
- Use wealth as a tool: While supporting one's family from the earnings, do not forget helping the needy by giving charity and Zakat - for these too support our Deen.
- Raise righteous families: We must impart wordily education to our children so that they are able to earn for their them and their families - however at the same time we must teach them Deen by praying with them, reciting Qur'an together, reflecting on Qur'anic wisdom so that they too become a balanced personality when they enter their practical life.
- Set limits: One must work hard to be successful and earn money for good sustenance of one's family, but this should not be at the cost of one's worship (Salah), bettering one's Character (اخلاق) and preparing for the Hereafter (آخِرَة).
Final Reflection
These verses ask a powerful question: Are your blessings bringing you closer to Allah… or quietly pulling you away? For wealth and family are tests, not guarantees of success - but Real success is what we earn with Allah. Are we ready for it?
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 64. At-Taghābun - The day of Loss and Gain, already published.
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 verses on 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.
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