وَبَنِينَ شُهُودًا 13
Translations
And children present [with him]
Transliteration
wa-banīna shuhadā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to children (sons) who are present or witnesses, part of the description of worldly wealth and blessings that people are tested with in this surah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to children as a blessing from Allah, but also as a trial—they are mentioned alongside material possessions that can distract people from remembrance of Allah. The word 'shuhadā' (witnesses/present) emphasizes that these children are visibly present in one's life, making them a tangible test of one's priorities and character.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir is an early Meccan revelation addressing the trials and distractions of worldly life. This ayah appears in the section (74:12-15) describing the false nobility some wealthy Meccans took pride in—their wealth, sons, and abundant possessions—while they rejected the message of monotheism. The surah contextualizes these blessings as tests of faith rather than sources of honor.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Quran 18:46), which complements the theme of children as blessings yet potential distractions.
Themes
Key Lesson
Children and family are precious gifts from Allah meant to strengthen our faith and character, not to become idols that distance us from His remembrance. This ayah reminds believers that true honor lies not in the number of children or possessions, but in obedience to Allah and righteous conduct.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً ۙ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا ۙ وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ
And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allāh intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allāh send astray whom He wills and guide whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And it [i.e., mention of the Fire] is not but a reminder to humanity.
وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذْ أَدْبَرَ
And [by] the night when it departs.
كَلَّا وَٱلْقَمَرِ
No! By the moon.
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ
Then he considered [again];