وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا۟ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَسْـَٔلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا 32
Translations
And do not wish for that by which Allāh has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allāh of His bounty. Indeed Allāh is ever, of all things, Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa lā tatammannaw mā faddala Allāhu bihi baʿḍakum ʿalā baʿḍin. Lil-rijāli naṣībun mimmā iktasabū wa-lil-nisāʾi naṣībun mimmā iktasabn. Wa-sʾalū Allāha min faḍlihi. Inna Allāha kāna bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīmā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers not to envy the distinctions and provisions that Allah has granted to others, as each person receives sustenance according to their own efforts and Allah's divine wisdom. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that both men and women are entitled to the fruits of their own labor, and the verse establishes the principle of individual accountability and reward based on one's own deeds rather than comparison with others. The ayah concludes by encouraging believers to seek from Allah's bounty directly, emphasizing that Allah's knowledge encompasses all circumstances and distributes blessings according to His infinite wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah An-Nisa, which addresses social, legal, and familial matters of the Muslim community. The verse appears in the broader context of establishing equitable rights and responsibilities for both genders, countering pre-Islamic practices of gender discrimination while recognizing natural differences in roles and capacities.
Related Hadiths
1) The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Look at those below you (in wealth and status) and do not look at those above you, for that is more apt to keep you from despising Allah's blessings' (Sahih Muslim 2963). 2) 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13), which relates to not envying others' blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
Rather than comparing ourselves with others' blessings, we should focus on maximizing our own efforts and potential while trusting in Allah's perfect distribution of provisions. This ayah teaches that contentment with our circumstances and direct supplication to Allah for His bounty is a path to spiritual peace and away from the destructive sin of envy.