أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٍ وَبَنِينَ 55
Translations
Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children
Transliteration
Ayahsabun anamma numidduhum bihi min malin wa banin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah questions whether the disbelievers think that the worldly provisions (wealth and children) that Allah grants them are signs of His pleasure or favor towards them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this is a rhetorical rebuke, as the Quran clarifies in the following ayah (23:56) that Allah actually provides these blessings as a test and trial, not as indicators of divine approval. The ayah serves to correct the spiritual delusion of those who conflate material abundance with righteousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which emphasizes the characteristics of true believers and the fate of disbelievers. Within the broader Meccan context, it addresses the prosperity of wealthy Meccan polytheists who mistakenly believed their riches demonstrated Allah's favor, when in reality they were being tested by these very blessings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you in the pre-Islamic period are the best of you in Islam, if you understand the religion' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'Wealth and children are the adornment of worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better...' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46) relates thematically to the prioritization of spiritual over material values.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not equate material wealth and abundant offspring with divine approval or spiritual superiority; rather, worldly blessings are tests from Allah that require wise stewardship and should not distract from the remembrance of God and preparation for the afterlife.