وَإِنَّهُۥ لِحُبِّ ٱلْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ 8
Translations
And indeed he is, in love of wealth, intense.
Transliteration
Wa-innahu li-hubbi al-khayri la-shadid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes mankind's intense love and attachment to wealth and material good (al-khair). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a natural human inclination toward accumulating material possessions, which can become excessive if not tempered by faith and consciousness of Allah. The verse serves as a reminder that this intense desire for worldly goods is characteristic of human nature, but believers must guard against allowing this love to dominate their hearts and lead them away from obedience to Allah.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Adiyat is a Meccan surah that emphasizes humanity's ingratitude and heedlessness despite Allah's blessings. This ayah appears within a broader context of the surah criticizing mankind's character flaws, particularly their denial of Allah and their self-deception regarding the Day of Judgment, which is directly connected to their worldly preoccupations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'If the son of Adam had two valleys of gold, he would desire a third. Nothing fills the belly of the son of Adam except dust.' (Sahih Bukhari 6437). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing that 'wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46) relates thematically.
Themes
Key Lesson
While the desire for sustenance and provision is natural in human nature, believers must cultivate mindfulness of Allah and maintain perspective that material wealth is temporary and should not become the primary focus of life. This ayah calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our pursuit of provision remains balanced with our duties toward Allah and preparation for the Hereafter.