Juz 22: Al-Aḥzāb 31 to Yā Sīn 27
Section 13 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
13. False Security in Wealth and Children
One of the greatest trials that believers face is the false sense of security that material wealth and numerous offspring can provide. In verses 34:34-40 of Surah Saba, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala addresses this misconception directly, highlighting how the disbelievers of Makkah used their prosperity as evidence that they were divinely favored and thus immune from punishment.
Allah reveals the mindset of these disbelievers in verse 35:
وَقَالُوا نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ أَمْوَالًا وَأَوْلَادًا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
“And they said, 'We are greater in riches and children, and we are not going to be punished.”
This verse captures the essence of human arrogance when blessed with abundance. The disbelievers saw their wealth and numerous children as proof that they enjoyed divine favor, leading them to believe they were immune to Allah's punishment. This false sense of security caused them to reject the message of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and continue in their disbelief and transgression.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala immediately refutes this misconception in the next verse:
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَقْدِرُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Say, 'Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it], but most of the people do not know.”
This profound verse establishes a fundamental principle of Islamic theology regarding wealth and provision. Allah clarifies that the distribution of rizq (sustenance and provision) is based entirely on His wisdom and will, not on His pleasure or displeasure with the recipient. Material prosperity is therefore not an indicator of spiritual status or divine favor.
The phrase "but most people do not know" indicates that this false correlation between wealth and divine favor is a common human misconception. Most people fail to recognize that Allah may give abundance to those He loves as a blessing and to those who reject Him as a test or gradual path to their demise.
Furthermore, Allah emphasizes that wealth and children by themselves are not what bring a person closer to Him:
وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا
“It is not your wealth nor your children that bring you near to Us in position, but it is one who believes and does good deeds.”
This verse establishes that true proximity to Allah comes only through faith and righteous actions, not through material possessions or family status. Wealth and children can become means of drawing closer to Allah only when they are coupled with faith and used in ways that please Him.
For those who do use their wealth and influence in service to Allah, there awaits a magnificent reward:
فَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاءُ الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ
“For such people, there is a double reward for what they did, and they are in secure chambers.”
The contrast between the false security of worldly possession and the true security of divine protection could not be clearer. Those who placed their confidence in wealth and children will find themselves vulnerable and exposed, while those who directed their resources toward faith and good deeds will enjoy complete security in the hereafter.
These verses provide essential guidance for believers in every generation, particularly those blessed with abundance. Wealth and children are neither inherently good nor bad—they are trials that test whether we will use them as stepping stones toward Allah's pleasure or allow them to become veils that separate us from divine guidance and ultimate success.