Be warned O’ Men! Your wealth and children are only a trial - An oft repeated warning in Al-Qurʾān

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.

For elaboration of the verse 64:15 by other scholars, refer to our previous post: Which two things are a trial for the Believers?

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.

Balanced Islamic Perspective

• 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).

That is we must strike  a balance in our lives for both wordily life and preparing for the life after this life.

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. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

Beware! Allah knows even what is hidden in your bosom

Most of us resemble the fictional character Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We hide the evil that resides in our hearts and display a charming face that is oft misleading and deceiving. But for Allah, our Creator, nothing is concealed or hidden even deep inside our bosom. And it is this knowledge which will be presented on the Day of Judgement to every individual which may come as a big loss for many.

This is the subject of verse 4 of Surah At-Taghābun – The Day of Loss and Gain being presented to our readers with its apparent and hidden meaning, displaying the wisdom and knowledge of our Creator which no one can ever know. That is, He is the possessor of absolute power: He can do whatever He wills, there is no power to restrain or limit His Omnipotence.

The Verse: Surah At-Taghābun (64:4)

يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

“He knows what is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allah is Knowing of what is within the hearts.”

Meaning and Explanation

Let us unpack this verse and see how we are being watched every second of our lives and how one day our hearts will be opened on Day of Judgement. This explanation is only in point form for quick understanding. Those wanting to read the detailed explanation and tafseer, may refer to the links given at the end of this post.

• Apparent (Ẓāhir) Meaning At the surface level, the verse states three layers of Allah’s knowledge:
• Universal knowledge  Allah knows everything which is in The heavens and the earth. Nothing in existence is hidden from Him.
• External vs hidden actions He knows what you show openly and what you hide from others
• Inner reality (deepest level) Allah knows what is in the hearts (intentions, thoughts, motives) - This goes beyond actions, well into inner النفس (self)
• Explanation by Scholars
• Ibn Kathir notes that Allah’s knowledge is Complete and perfect and is Not limited to actions, but includes intentions. Even what a person hides from people—or struggles to understand themselves - Allah knows.
• Al-Tabari Emphasizes that Nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge - سواء السر والعلن (secret and open are equal before Him)
• Deeper (Bāṭin / Reflective) Meaning & Wisdom
• الإسلام is about inner truth, not just ظاهر
• Outwardly, People see your actions
• But this verse shifts focus on Judgement of Allah and He will judge a person on the knowledge which is hidden for Allah judges: Why you did it
• Hidden wisdom: A good action with bad intention may lose value - A small action with sincerity may be عظیم and fetch immense blessings and gains both in this world and the Hereafter.
• Accountability is deeper than behavior
• Human systems judge: What is visible
• Allah judges: Intentions, Feelings and Hidden choices
• This creates true moral depth
• Psychological realism of the Qur’an This verse recognizes:
• Humans have: Public self, Private self, and Inner self
• Allah knows all three perfectly
• Comfort vis warning (dual effect)
• Comfort: If you are misunderstood, Allah knows your truth and if your intentions are sincere, these are محفوظ (preserved) for reward both in this world and the life in the Hereafter.
• Warning: You cannot “fake righteousness” for Hidden فساد (corruption) is known to Allah.
• Spiritual training (تربیہ) This verse trains the believer to develop Muraqabah (constant awareness of Allah). You act as if Allah sees your heart at all times

Relevance Today

• Social media vs reality Today people curate a perfect image - but this verse reminds that Allah sees the unfiltered reality
• Intentions behind good deeds  
• people give charity for fame and worship for appearance and to be observed by others so as to be known as pious and God fearing.
• But this verse asks: Why are you really doing this? for Allah knows your intentions - so why deceive yourself and others?
• Inner struggles We have anxiety, fears and hidden pains - but take comfort from knowing that Allah fully understands what you cannot express.
• Integrity in private life The truth is Who you are when no one is watching? - That is your true self before Allah

Core Wisdom of the Verse

The real standard is not just what you do - It is: (1) What you intend, (2) What you hide, and (3) What you truly are inside

Augmenting the core message of this verse, The Prophet ﷺ emphasised that actions will be judged by what has been at the back stage, that is in one's heart and said: “Actions are judged by intentions…” (in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Final Reflection: This verse asks a powerful question: If your heart was visible… would your life change? Because: To Allah, it already is.

Summary

• Apparent meaning: Allah knows everything—seen and unseen
• Hidden wisdom: True accountability is based on inner reality
• Transformative lesson: Purify your heart, not just your actions 

So let us reshape our lives and cleanse our hearts and minds. We may deceive the world by wearing a charming mask and displaying intentions to mislead them of our true selves. But we can never dodge the Divine insight which knows every intentions of ours.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 64. At Taghabun (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. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Resource Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Overview and selected verses from Sürah 64. At-Taghābun - The day of Loss and Gain

Nothing in our lives functions with a balance if there is no accountability for acountability ensures responsibility, foster trust, and drive performance by making individuals answerable for their actions and results. Accountability thus lays down guidelinnes for one's actions to prevent abuse thus creating a culture where people learn from mistakes and are rewarded for achieving goals - and also held responsible for their failures. This is true for any organization or even daily funcioning of our households so that everyone weighs one's acctions for the betterment of a household or an organization and not otherwise.

When we raise the level of accountability and view it from the perspective of the Creator of the entire universe, we find that every step we take is being watched and those who go by the Divine commandments contained in the Divine Scriptures will be the one's who will gain and those who defy these commandments will be the ultimate losers on the day when actions will put on the scales.

This is the very theme of Surah At Taghabun which asks:  “Are you investing in what will last—or what will disappear?”

Surah At-Taghābun (meaning: “The Day of Loss and Gain”) is a Madinan surah (revealed after migration to Medina). It has 18 verses and focuses on faith, accountability, and tests of worldly life. The Surah takes its name from the sentence Dhalika yaum-ut taghabun of verse 9.

We have already published the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Sürah, which can be accessed from by clicking on the highlighted link:  Sürah At Taghābun - Mutual Loss and Gain - Exegesis / Tafseer - 64th Chapter of Al Qur'an.

Herein under we will only present an overview entire Sūrah and some of the selected verses for selective reading / references. The following overview includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to  some of the selected verses already published.

Context of Revelation

• Why was it revealed? (Context)
• This surah was revealed when the Muslim community was established but facing internal tests. Since some people were weak in commitment, distracted by family and wealth, there was a need to strengthen belief in the Hereafter.
• So the surah stresses the need for the (1) Believers (to stay firm and sincere), (2) Hypocrites / weak believers to correct priorities, and (3) Man to be mindful of the ultimate accountability on a day that will be Day of the Loss and Gain.
• What is the Surah about? (Main Themes) The theme of this surah is invitation to the Faith and obedience (to Allah) and the teaching of good morals. The sequence followed is as under: 
• Allah’s absolute authority (Verses 1–4) - the first four verses are addressed to all men;
• The universe in which they live is not Godless, but its Creator, Master and Ruler is an All Powerful God, and everything in it testifies to His being most Perfect and absolutely faultless.
• That is everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah, who created humans, though some believe while some don’t - like the atheists of today.
• The surah thus sends a strong Message: You are not random—you are created with purpose and watched. Its Creator has created it with truth no one should be under the delusion that it is a mock show, which began without a purpose and will come to an end without a purpose.
• The Reality of belief vs disbelief (Verses 5–10) The verses 5-10 are addressed to those men, who do not believe in the invitation of the Qur'an
• The Day of Judgment is called “Taghābun” (Day of ultimate loss/gain)
• The excellent form that God has created you with and the choice that He has given you to choose between belief and unbelief is not a useless and meaningless activity so that it may be of no consequence whether you choose belief or unbelief. In fact, God is watching as to how you exercise your choice.
• This gives out a clear Message: Past nations denied truth and were destroyed since they did not follow the truth and rejected a day of accountability. 
• However, those who understood the truth and refrained from following the footsteps of the deniers will finally succeed both in this world and the Hereafter.
• Tests of wealth and family (Verses 11–15) Verses 11-18 relate to those men who accept and believe in this invitation.
• One of the most practical sections is that Wealth and children can be a trial (fitnah)
• Though not necessarily evil, but these can distract from remembrance of Allah - or become a means of reward if handled correctly
• It adds that you have not been created irresponsible and un-answerable. You have to return ultimately to your Creator, and have to meet the Being who is aware of everything in the universe, from Whom nothing is hidden, to Whom even the innermost thoughts of the minds are known.
• Call to obedience and sincerity (Verses 16–18) Fear Allah as much as you can, spend in charity and Avoid greed - for Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing
• Who is it addressed to? 
• Primarily to the Muslims in Medina (dealing with real-life responsibilities)
• But also to all believers (across time)
• And Indirectly to those who Deny truth and Are careless about the Hereafter

How do we relate it to our life today?

This surah is extremely practical and relevant for:

• Balancing dunya and akhirah  Today much of our focus is on our families, career and money. But this surah says: The surah says: These are tests, not ultimate goals
• Redefining success: 
• The modern definition of success is wealth, status, and worldly achievements. 
• Qur’anic definition: The real Success is what you gain on Day of Taghābun
• Dealing with life’s difficulties: Verse theme: “No calamity happens except by Allah’s permission”
• Family as a test
• Very relevant today as sometimes family may distract from deen and pressure toward wrong.
• The surah thus teaches: Love them—but don’t lose your آخِرَة because of them
• Personal accountability in a distracted world: Social media, culture, traditions and trends are a test of accountability. But this surah reminds that one day you will stand alone before Allah and none of the wordily successes will come to help you.

Core Message of the Surah

Life is a test of choices, not just experiences. You are created, watched and tested. Your real result appears on Day of Loss and Gain.

Final Reflection: 

• Surah At-Taghabun asks a powerful question: “Are you investing in what will last—or what will disappear?”
• Every wordily success, wealth, status or even the relationship fade away - but Faith, sincerity, and good deeds remain forever, both in this world and the Hereafter.

Now let us share herein some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already published:

• Verse 11: No misfortune ever befalls unless it be by Allah's leave
• Verse 14: Believers!! Beware of enemies within (A verse specially for Reverts)
• Verse 16: Hold Allah in awe - And listen and obey, and be charitable, for this is for your own good
• Verse 15-16: Which two things are a trial for the Believers?
• Verse 17: Give Goodly Loan to Allah - He will increase it Several Fold

In time we will add more selected ayat / verses from this surah.

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. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 

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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Hold Allah in awe - And listen and obey, and be charitable, for this is for your own good

We all undertake some sort of job to ensure the sustenance of ourselves and those dependent on us. And we are always on the guard not to annoy our boss for he may terminate us, hold or slash our salary or even humiliate us in front of others for not doing our duties as desired. So we are always on our toes not to annoy our boss and go into minutest details in performance of our duty to earn good name and expect a raise in the salary or promotion. 

If we are so fearful of our boss, shouldn't we be fearful of Allah, our Creator and our Sustainer? If we perform our worldly duties sincerely, shouldn't we be sincere to the Deity that created us and sustains us? In this regard, an Arabic word Taqwa is often used, which simply means Fear of Allah. 

In Arabic literature, a word-phrase Ittaqullah (Arabic: اتقوا الله) is often used to express fear of Allah. The word "Ittaqu" (the command or imperative form of the word taqwa), and "Allah". It is found in several verses in the Quran, It has been translated variously as "fear God", "keep your duty to Allah and fear Him", "guard your duty to Allah", "be careful of (your duty to) Allah", "be pious to Allah", "be aware of Allah", to "love and be faithful to", as well as fear Allah.

Today, we have selected a verse that tells the believers to hold Allah in awe - that is we should fear our Creator for we have been asked to undertake duties in respect of Him and if some duty is not been done or done improperly, we may annoy Him. 

فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ مَا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَاسۡمَعُوۡا وَاَطِيۡعُوۡا وَاَنۡفِقُوۡا خَيۡرًا لِّاَنۡفُسِكُمۡ​ؕ وَمَنۡ يُّوۡقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهٖ فَاُولٰٓـئِكَ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏ 

(64:16) So 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.

To understand this verse correctly, we may consider a few others verses of Qur'an which will make the meaning of Holding Allah in awe will be better understood.

At another place in the Qur'an, it has been said: "Fear Allah as He should actually be feared." (Al-'Imran: 102). At still another place: “Allah does not burden anyone with a responsibility heavier than he can bear." (Al-Baqarah: 286) And here: "Fear Allah as far as you can." When these three verses are read together it appears that the first verse sets an ideal which every believer should try to attain. The second verse lays down the principle that no one has been required to exert himself. beyond his power and ability, for in Allah's Religion one has been made responsible only for what is within one's power and ability. This verse enjoins every believer to try to attain piety and consciousness of God as far as he can. He should carry out His Commands and avoid His disobedience as best as he possibly can. For if he shows laxity in this regard, he will not be able to escape punishment. However, one will not be held accountable for what was beyond one's power (and Allah alone can decide best what was really beyond a person's power and ability).

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(فَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ So have Taqwa of Allah as much as you can;) meaning, as much as you are able and can bear or endure. The Two Sahihs recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said, (When I command you to do something, do as much as you can of it, and whatever I forbid for you, then avoid it.) 

Allah's statement, (وَاسْمَعُواْ وَأَطِيعُواْ listen and obey,) means, obey what Allah and His Messenger command you to do and do not stray from it to the right or left. Do not utter a statement or make a decision before Allah and His Messenger issue a statement or decision. Do not ignore what you were ordered to do, nor commit what you were forbidden from doing.

Encouraging Charity, Allah the Exalted said, (وَأَنْفِقُواْ خَيْراً لاًّنفُسِكُمْ and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves.) meaning, give from what Allah has granted you to your relatives, the poor, the needy and the weak. Be kind to Allah's creatures, just as Allah was and still is kind with you. This will be better for you in this life and the Hereafter. Otherwise, if you do not do it, it will be worse for you in this life and the Hereafter. 

Allah said; (وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ And whosoever is saved from his own greed, then they are the successful ones.) A similar verse appears at the end of 9th verse of Surah 59. Al Hashr, where we also mentioned the relevant Hadiths (reproduced herein under:

(وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ and whosoever is saved from his own greed, such are they who will be the successful.) indicating that those who are saved from being stingy, then they have earned success and a good achievement. 

Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said:

(Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Be on your guard against being stingy, for being stingy is what destroyed those who were before you. It made them shed blood and make lawful what was unlawful for them.) Muslim collected this Hadith. 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Al-Aswad bin Hilal said that a man said to `Abdullah (bin Mas`ud),"O Abu `Abdur-Rahman! I fear that I have earned destruction for myself.' `Abdullah asked him what the matter was and he said, "I hear Allah's saying:

(And whosoever is saved from his own greed, such are they who will be successful.) and I am somewhat a miser who barely gives away anything.' `Abdullah said, "That is not the greed Allah mentioned in the Qur'an, which pertains to illegally consuming your brother's wealth. What you have is miserliness, and it is an evil thing indeed to be miser.'

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

"Fear Allah" combined with "as much as you can" obviously means: "lead lives of self-restraint and righteousness": the usual meaning of Taqwa: see note to to ii. 2 (reproduced herein under for better understanding):

(2:2 This is the Book; in it is guidance sure without doubt to those who fear Allah) Taqwa and the verbs and nouns connected with the root, signify: (1) the fear of God which according to the writer of Proverbs (i.7) in the Old Testament is the beginning of Wisdom; (2) restraint, or guarding one's tongue, hand, and heart from evil; (3) hence righteousness, piety good conduct. All these ideas are implied; in the translation, only one or other of these ideas can be indicated according to the context. See also xivii 17; and ixxiv 56

Charity is meant to help and do good to other people who need it. But it has the highest subjective value for the person who gives it. Like mercy "it blesseth him that gives and him that takes". It purifies the giver's soul: the affection that he pours out is for his own spiritual benefit and progress. Cf. Coleridge: "He prayeth best who loveth best all things both great and small, for the Great God Who loveth us, Who made and loveth all".

Cf. lix. 9. Our worst enemy is within ourselves, -the grasping selfishness which would deprive others of their just rights or seize things which do not properly belong to it. If we can get over this covetous selfishness, we achieve real Prosperity in justice and truth.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki: 

The believers are admonished to do their best to remain God-fearing and to obey God's orders. Here we see an aspect of God's care as He restricts what is expected of the believers to that which remains within their power and ability. He knows the limit of what they can do in obedience of Him. The Prophet says: "When I give you an order, do it as best you can, and when I prohibit something, refrain from it completely." [Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.]

Limits cannot be set on obeying an order to do something. Therefore, what is within one's ability and power is sufficient. On the other hand, prohibition cannot be divided. It is required in full.

They are also called upon to be generous in what they donate: "And be charitable. That will be best for you."  Normally, they spend their money on their own needs. God instructs them to spend in charity what is good for themselves. Thus, when they are charitable, they are actually spending their money on what is good for themselves. The surah also depicts meanness as a plague, one they must try to get rid of.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

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.

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.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

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 refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 64. At-Taghābun - The day of Loss and Gain, already published.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 2a | 3 | 3a | 5 | 6 | 7 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān 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 order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

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Believers!! Beware of enemies within (A verse specially for Reverts)

Today, in our series of posts on Selected Verses from Qur'ān, we share a very sensitive issue, which may be taken by some very lightly but it is very serious in nature. The path to Paradise is not easy for it is infested with many stumbling blocks, problems and issues relating to one's very own family including one's wife and children. This post is more applicable to the new reverts who when embrace Islam draw a severe backlash from their immediate family members, specially wife and children.

So read this verse (14th verse from Surah 64. At-Tagabun ) carefully and its explanation by many eminent scholars and exegetists of Qur'ān, for it may ease sufferings of those who have to confront their families when reverting to Islam.

​يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنَّ مِنۡ اَزۡوَاجِكُمۡ وَاَوۡلَادِكُمۡ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمۡ فَاحۡذَرُوۡهُمۡ​ۚ وَاِنۡ تَعۡفُوۡا وَتَصۡفَحُوۡا وَتَغۡفِرُوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏ 

( 14 )   O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse has two meanings:

According to the first meaning, it applies to most of those difficulties which are encountered by many believing men from their wives and the women from their husbands and the parents from their children in following the way of God. It seldom so happens in the world that a man has a wife or a wife has a husband, who are full companions and helpers of each other in the matter of faith and righteousness, and that both may also have such children as may be the comfort of their eyes as regards to faith and deeds, morals and conduct. But generally it so happens that if the husband is righteous and honest, the wife and children look upon his honesty and piety and righteousness as a misfortune for themselves, and want that the husband and the father should earn Hell for their sake, and, by giving up the distinction between the lawful and the unlawful, should provide means of luxury and enjoyment, sin and vice, for them in every passable way. On the contrary, many a time a pious believing woman happens to have a husband, who does not at all approve her obedience to the laws of God. And the children, following in the footsteps of the father, make the life of the mother miserable by their deviation and evil deeds. Then, particularly, when during the conflict between Islam and unbelief a man’s faith demands that he should suffer losses for the sake of Allah and this religion, run risks, emigrate from the country or even endanger his life by joining the war against unbelief, the greatest hindrance in his way are the people of his own household.

The second meaning relates to those special circumstances which most of the Muslims were facing at the time these verses were sent down, and also today they are faced by every person who embraces Islam in a non-Muslim society. At that time in Makkah and in other parts of Arabia a situation that was commonly being experienced was that a man would embrace Islam but his wife and children would not only be disinclined to accept it but would try their best to press him to give up Islam. And similar were the situation encountered by the women who alone embraced Islam in the family.

Addressing the believers who may be confronted with either situation, three things have been impressed:

First, they have been warned as if to say: Although from the worldly point of view these are the dearest relations of man, yet from the religious point of view, they are your enemies. This enmity may be for the reason that they hinder you from good and induce you to do evil, or that they restrain you from belief and pull you towards unbelief, or that their sympathies are with he unbelievers, and through you if they ever come to know any of the war secrets of the Muslims, they convey it to the enemies of Islam. Owing to these the nature and quality of enmity may vary, but in any case it is enmity; and if you hold your faith dearer to your heart, you should regard them as your enemies. In their love you should never forget that between you and them there stands the barrier of belief and unbelief, or of obedience and disobedience.

Then, it is said: Beware of them. That is, you should not ruin your eternal life for the sake of their worldly life. Let not their love so overwhelm you that they become a hindrance for you in your relationship with Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) and your loyalty to Islam. Do not place such reliance on them that the secrets of the Muslim community should come to their notice and through them reach your enemies only by your negligence and carelessness. This is the first thing of which the Prophet (peace be upon him) has warned the Muslims in a Hadith: A person will be brought up on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be proclaimed: His wife and children ate up all his good deeds.

In the end, it is said: If you pardon and overlook and forgive, Allah is surely All-Forgiving, All-Merciful. It means: You are being made aware of their enmity so that you may beware of them and do your best to save your faith from them. This warning does not, however, mean that you should treat your wife and children harshly, or strain your relations with them so as to make your own and their domestic lift miserable and wretched. For if you did so, two of the disadvantages would obviously result: First, it may close down every avenue to the reformation of the wife and children forever; second, it may give rise to suspicions and misgivings against Islam in the society and the people around may form the impression that a Muslim turns unduly rigid and ill-tempered for his own children in his own house as soon as he has embraced Islam. In this connection, one should also keep in mind that in the beginning when the people became Muslims, they encountered a special difficulty if their parents were unbelievers. They would press their children to give up the new faith. They would face another difficulty when their wives and children (or in case of women, their husbands and children) persisted unbelief and would force them to abandon the faith of truth. About the first difficulty, instruction was given in (Surah Al-Ankabut, Ayat 8) and (Surah Luqman, Ayat 14-15), saying: Treat your parents well but if they press you to join with Me another about whom you have no knowledge, do not obey them at all. About the second difficulty the instruction has been given here, saying: You must try to save your faith from your children and family members but do not treat them harshly, but rather politely and leniently. 

The very next verse is again a warning in continuity of the verse 14 stated above:

اِنَّمَاۤ اَمۡوَالُـكُمۡ وَاَوۡلَادُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عِنۡدَهٗۤ اَجۡرٌ عَظِيۡمٌ‏ 

(64:15) Your possessions and your offspring are nothing but a trial for you. And there awaits a great reward30 for you with Allah.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: Warning against the Fitnah of Spouses and Offspring:

Allah states that some wives and children are enemies to their husbands and fathers, in that they might be busied with them rather than with performing the good deeds. 

Allah said in another Ayah, (O you who believe! Let not your properties or you children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that then they are the losers.) (63:9) 

Allah the Exalted said here, ( فَاحْذَرُوهُ therefore, beware of them!) for your religion, according to Ibn Zayd. 

Mujahid explained the Ayah, ( إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَجِكُمْ وَأَوْلـدِكُمْ عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you;) by saying, "They might direct the man to sever his relation or disobey his Lord. The man, who loves his wives and children, might obey them in this case.'' 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said to a man who asked him about this Ayah, ( يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَجِكُمْ وَأَوْلـدِكُمْ عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you; therefore beware of them!) "There were men who embraced Islam in Makkah and wanted to migrate to Allah's Messenger . However, their wives and children refused to allow them. Later when they joined Allah's Messenger , they found that those who were with him (the Companions) have gained knowledge in the religion, so they were about to punish their wives and children. 

Allah the Exalted sent down this Ayah, ( وَإِن تَعْفُواْ وَتَصْفَحُواْ وَتَغْفِرُواْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive, then verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)'' At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith and said that it is Hasan Sahih. Allah's statement,

Yusuf Ali  Explanation: 

In some cases the demands of families, i.e., wife and children may conflict with a man's moral and spiritual convictions and duties. In such cases he must guard against the abandonment of his convictions, duties, and ideals to their requests or desires. But he must not treat them harshly. He must make reasonable provision for them, and if they persist in opposing his clear duties and convictions, he must forgive them and not expose them to shame or ridicule, while at the same time holding on to his clear duty. Such cases occurred when godly men undertook exile from their native city of Makkah to follow the Faith in Madinah. In some cases their families murmured, but all came right in the end.

For the different words for "forgiveness", see explanation of ii. 109 (reproduced herein under):

There words are used in the Qur'an, with a meaning asking to "forgive" but each with a different shade of meaning. Afa (here translated "forgive") means to forget, to obliterate from one's mind. Safaha (here translated "overlook") means to turn away from, to ignore, to treat a matter as if it did not affect one. Gafara (which does not occur in this verse) means to cover up something as God does to our sins with His grace; this word is particularly appropriate in God's attribute of Gaffar, the One who forgives again and again.

Muhammad Asad Explanation: 

I.e., "sometimes, your spouses...", etc. Since, in the teachings of the Qur'an, all moral duties are binding on women as well as on men, it is obvious that the term azwajikum " أَزْوَٲجِكُمْ " must not be rendered as "your wives", but is to be understood - according to classical Arabic usage - as applying equally to both the male and the female partners in a marriage.

Love of his or her family may sometimes tempt a believer to act contrary to the demands of conscience and faith; and, occasionally, one or another of the loved ones - whether wife or husband or child - may consciously try to induce the person concerned to abandon some of his or her moral commitments in order to satisfy some real or imaginary "family interest", and thus becomes the other's spiritual "enemy". It is to this latter eventuality that the next sentence alludes.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation: 

Here the Qur’an has explained the whole context of the previous verses of the surah: though disbelievers are also addressed in them, the real addressees are the Muslims whose wife and children had embraced faith yet true faith had yet to enter the hearts of some of them. So when they would see their husbands and fathers losing the pleasures of this world in hope of gaining in the Hereafter and sacrificing their personal interests and generously spending the wealth they have earned for the cause of God, they would try to stop them. They would also try to create uncertainty in their minds about the Hereafter by raising objections similar to the ones raised by the disbelievers before them. In order to streamline the minds and hearts of these Muslims, the Qur’an first reminded them about the Hereafter and the arguments that substantiate it, then addressed the disbelievers for a short while to remove the confusions created by them about the Hereafter, and then warned these Muslims by saying that the enemies of their faith and religion are present in their houses and that they should protect themselves from them.

May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 64. At-Taghābun - The day of Loss and Gain, already published. For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 

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.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān 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 the references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above and ChatGPT. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

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.

Read More

Which two things are a trial for the Believers?

Many non believers or even believers of low faith often argue why there have been test and trials in this world? Why does God make one people happy and others unhappy? Why God could not create happiness for everyone and let everyone live in peace. Why test and trials??

Well the answer is very simple, yet people get into blaming God for every bad thins, yet are never thankful for good things that happen to them. If there were no tests and trials, how would God ascertain who is a better believer and loves Him more than others w=even when in difficult times and passing through hardships of life. 

Of the test and trials, love of man for two things stands out: His children and his wealth. One who prefers these two things to love of Allah is the one who reaches the finish line with rewards and blessings of Allah. Those who love these two worldly possessions more than Allah, remain far behind the finish line forever. Let us what are these two worldly possessions and why does Allah caution believers about these:

اِنَّمَاۤ اَمۡوَالُـكُمۡ وَاَوۡلَادُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عِنۡدَهٗۤ اَجۡرٌ عَظِيۡمٌ‏ 

(64:15) Your possessions and your offspring are nothing but a trial for you. And there awaits a great reward for you with Allah.

فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ مَا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَاسۡمَعُوۡا وَاَطِيۡعُوۡا وَاَنۡفِقُوۡا خَيۡرًا لِّاَنۡفُسِكُمۡ​ؕ وَمَنۡ يُّوۡقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهٖ فَاُولٰٓـئِكَ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ‏  

(64:16) So 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.

( Your possessions and your offspring are nothing but a trial for you. And there awaits a great reward for you with Allah. ) For explanation, see (E.N. 23 of Surah Al-Anfaal). 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 (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.

Yusuf Ali  Explanation: Children may be a "trial" in many senses: (1) their different ways of looking at things may cause you to reflect, and to turn to the highest things of eternal importance; (2) their relationship with you and with each other may confront you with problems far more complicated than those in separate individual lives, and thus become a test of your own strength of character and sense of responsibility; (3) their conflict with your ideals (see n. 5494 above) may vex your spirit, but may at the same time search out your fidelity to Allah; and (4) their affection for you and your affection for them, may be a source of strength for you if it is pure, just as it may be a danger if it is based on selfish or unworthy motives. So also riches and worldly goods have their advantages as well as dangers.

Muhammad Asad Explanation: : For an explanation of 8:28 , which is almost identical with the present passage - reproduced herein under:

"and know that your worldly goods and your children are but a trial and a temptation, and that with God there is a tremendous reward." - (8:28)

Inasmuch as love of worldly goods and a desire to protect one's family may lead a person to transgression (and, thus, to a betrayal of the moral values postulated in God's message), they are described as fitnah - which, in this context, is best rendered by the two words "trial and temptation". This reminder connects with verse {8:25} above, "beware of that temptation to evil which does not befall only those who are bent on denying the truth," since it is acquisitiveness and a desire to confer benefits on one's own family which often tempt an otherwise good person to offend against the rights of his fellow-men. It is to be borne in mind that, contrary to the New Testament, the Qur'an does not postulate a contempt for worldly attachments as a pre-requisite of righteousness: it only demands of man that he should not allow these attachments to deflect him from the pursuit of moral verities.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation: The implication is that family and wealth – all are a trial from God. If Muslims deal with them, considering them to be a trial, they will succeed; they should rest assured that the loss they suffer in this cause will be compensated in the Hereafter because great reward lies with God alone. 

( So 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. )

At another place in the Quran it has been said: Fear Allah as rightfully He should be feared. (Surah Aal-Imran, Ayat 102). At still another place: Allah does not burden any one with a responsibility heavier than he can bear. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 286) And here: Fear Allah as much as you can. When these three verses are read together it appears that the first verse sets an ideal which every believer should try to attain. The second verse lays down the principle that no one has been required to exert himself beyond his power and ability, for in Allah’s religion one has been made responsible only for what is within his power and ability. This verse enjoins every believer to try to attain piety and consciousness of God as far as he can. He should carry out His commands and avoid His disobedience as best as he possibly can. For if he shows laxity in this regard, he will not be able to escape punishment. However, one will not be held accountable for what was beyond his power and Allah alone can decide best what was really beyond a person’s power and ability.

" And whoever remains safe from his own greediness, it is such that will prosper. "  For explanation, see (explanation of verse 9 of Surah Al-Hashr - reproduced herein under).

The word used here means “is saved” and not “was safe”, for without Allah's help and succor no one can attain to the wealth of the heart (liberal-mindedness) by his own power and effort. This is a blessing of God, which one can attain only by God’s bounty and grace. The word shuhha is used for stinginess and miserliness in Arabic. But when this word is attributed to the self of man, it becomes synonymous with narrow-mindedness, niggardliness, mean spiritedness and small-heartedness, and not mere stinginess: it is rather the root cause of stinginess itself. Because of this very quality man avoids acknowledging even the good qualities of another, not to speak of recognizing his rights and discharging them. He wants that he alone should gather up everything in the world, and no one else should have anything of it. He never feels content with his own right, but usurps the rights of others, or at least wants to have for himself all that is good in the world and should not leave anything for others. On this very basis one’s being saved from this evil has been described in the Quran as a guarantee for success. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has counted it among the most evil qualities of man which are the root cause of corruption and mischief. Jabir bin Abdullah has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Avoid shuhha for it was shuhha which ruined the people before you. It incited them to shed each other’s blood and make the sacred and forbidden things of others lawful for themselves. (Muslim, Musnad Ahmad, Baihaqi, Bukhari in Al-Adab). The tradition of Abdullah bin Umar contains the following words: It led them to commit wickedness and they committed it. It commanded them to commit sins and they committed sin. It urged them to break off all connections with the kindred and they broke off all connections with them. (Musnad Ahmad, Abu Daud, Nasai). Abu Hurairah has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Faith and shuhha of the self cannot combine in one and the same heart. (Ibn Abi Shaibah, Nasa Baihaqi in Shuab al-Iman, Hakim). Abu Said Khudri has stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Two of the qualities are such that they cannot combine in a Muslim: stinginess and misbehavior. (Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, Bukhari in Al-Adab). It is as a result of this very teaching of Islam that, apart from individuals, the Muslims as a nation are still the most generous and liberal minded people in the world.

Yusuf Ali  Explanation: "Fear Allah" combined with "as much as you can" obviously means: "lead lives of self-restraint and righteousness": the usual meaning of Taqwa: see explanation to ii. 2.

Charity is meant to help and do good to other people who need it. But it has the highest subjective value for the person who gives it. Like mercy "it blesseth him that gives and him that takes". It purifies the giver's soul: the affection that he pours out is for his own spiritual benefit and progress. Cf. Coleridge: "He prayeth best who loveth best all things both great and small, for the Great God Who loveth us, Who made and loveth all".

Cf. lix. 9. Our worst enemy is within ourselves,-the grasping selfishness which would deprive others of their just rights or seize things which do not properly belong to it. If we can get over this covetous selfishness, we achieve real Prosperity in justice and truth. 

Muhammad Asad Explanation: Cf. last sentence of 59:9 (reproduced herein under):

"... for, such as from their own covetousness are saved - it is they, they that shall attain to a happy state!"

Thus, greed, niggardliness and covetousness are pointed out here as the main obstacles to man's attaining to a happy state in this world and in the hereafter (cf. surah {102}). 

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation: The actual word is: شُحّ. It means “miserliness and stinginess.” In this verse, it is related to the soul. This is because miserliness is one of the inclinations found in the soul; hence like anger and lust, it too needs to be restrained. 

Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi has explained it He writes: … The only way to check it is that when a person starts to feel its domination, he should weaken it by spending for the cause of God until it becomes so weak that it is not able to impede virtuous deeds. It is evident from these words of the Qur’an that those who try to suppress this instinct succeed by the blessing of God, and only those who succeed in this effort are worthy of success in the Hereafter. For this reason, spending for the cause of God is the greatest thing which can earn His pleasure specially the spending which a person does by disregarding his own personal needs. (Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i Qur’an, vol. 8, 424) 

So let us beware of these two worldly possessions the love of which may fail us in the test Allah is given us and be always be ready to sacrifice our best of things to please Allah. We should pray Allah does not put us in any trial, specially with regard to our children. And for this we should give out charity as much as possible to extend a good loan to Allah to save us from any test in which may not be able to do justice to ourselves.

Please listen to explanation of the ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 64. At-Taghābun - The day of Loss and Gain, already published.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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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.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān 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 the references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above including ChatGPT. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

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