The rich say: Are these they whom Allaah has favored among us?

Lesson # 720 From Holy Qur’aan

The rich say: Are these they whom Allaah has favored among us?

Surah ‘Al-‘An-‘aam (Cattle) – Chapter – 6)–Stage - 2

Verse – 53 of 165, Section – 6 of 20 (Part - 7)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And even so do We try some of them by others, that they say: Are these they whom Allaah has favoured among us? Is not Allaah Best Aware of the thanks-givers?

Wa  kazaalika  fatanNaa  ba’-zahum-  bi-ba’-zil-li-yaquuluuu  ‘ahaaa-‘ulaaa-‘i  mannAllaahu  ‘alay-him-mim  bayninaa.  ‘Alay-SAllaahu  bi-‘A’-lama  bish-shaa-kiriin.

                                                                                                                               

Lesson

It has been told earlier that the people of Makkah were inordinate in the intoxication of wealth and property. They used to disregard everyone. Islam considers these kinds of boasting and pride as useless. Entire human beings are equal in Islam. It teaches that all the humankind should live like brothers of one another mutually having equal rights, but it was against the rules and customs of the people of Makkah.

Therefore, they denied sitting socially along with the poor and lower class people, whenever they used to come unto the Messenger of Allaah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). He (peace be upon Him) took a thought: If these haughty people embraced Islam, it will affect entire Arab and all the people will embrace Islam.

So the Messenger of Allaah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) wished to prevent the poor and lower class people sitting every time in His company, only for the purpose that the rich and honorable people may come unhesitatingly unto Muhammad and listen to His Sayings (peace be upon Him), and perhaps the way for Islam may be opened.

It was forbidden in the previous verse and the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) was commanded: Islamic Morality cannot permit it that the proud and haughty people are welcomed, while the poor and lower class people, who are fond of hearing the teachings of Islam and act upon them, are prevented from coming unto You (peace be upon Him) and disheartened.

It has been described in this verse: We have kept difference among their ranks, made some of them rich and some poor for causing to know them all a big Truth, and explain that: It is not necessary that a man becomes a complete mankind after achieving higher rank, wealth or property, whereas at the other side, meaning of being a poor is that he is totally like dead and gone in Allaah’s view, morally he can never be a good person (Heaven preserve us).

Virtue, Superiority and nobility depend on the heart’s cleanliness and ethics. By being a rich person of anyone, it is not incumbent that he is also good in morality and humanity. The door of becoming a virtuous is not closed due to being a poor. This aim has been mentioned very clearly in this verse.

It is commanded: As you observe that some people are rich and some poor, it is only a method of mankind’s test. Being a wealthy person is not sign of acceptability in the Court of Allaah Almighty. He can favor the poor also by bestowing to him purity and faithfulness. Even that the rich people can be surprised observing them: Whether Allaah Almighty can exalt these poor, unreal, weak and helpless people leaving us?

They should understand that Allaah Almighty knows more than you to those people who are well-mannered in His Gratefulness. Therefore, He sends down His Gifts and Honors upon them, so that you may get freedom from this misapprehension and vain imagination that the wealth and superiority is the best thing.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)