وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ 28
Translations
And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allāh has with Him a great reward.
Transliteration
Wa'lamū anna amwālakum wa awlādakum fitnatun wa anna Allāha 'indahu ajrun 'aẓīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns believers that wealth and children are a trial (fitnah) that can distract from obedience to Allah and the remembrance of Him. The verse teaches that while these blessings are from Allah, they should not become a means of spiritual deviation; rather, believers must prioritize their duty to Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this is a reminder of the temporary nature of worldly attachments and that true reward lies with Allah alone.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Medina during the early Islamic state's struggles, this surah addresses the believers' hesitation about fighting at Badr, where some were concerned about losing their wealth and families. The ayah contextualizes these concerns within the broader test (fitnah) that all worldly possessions and relationships represent spiritually, encouraging prioritization of faith over material concerns.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46, which shares thematic resonance). Also relevant: Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi), emphasizing balanced treatment of family obligations within spiritual priority.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that attachment to wealth and family, while natural, can become spiritual obstacles if not kept in proper perspective relative to one's duty to Allah. The ayah calls for mindful stewardship of blessings and constant realignment of priorities toward the eternal reward that awaits those who maintain their relationship with God.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بَطَرًا وَرِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allāh. And Allāh is encompassing of what they do.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ
And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do so [i.e., ally yourselves with other believers], there will be fitnah [i.e., disbelief and oppression] on earth and great corruption.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَٱثْبُتُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allāh much that you may be successful.
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِۦ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ ٱلْأَقْدَامَ
[Remember] when He overwhelmed you with drowsiness [giving] security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil [suggestions] of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet.