وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ 131
Translations
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
Transliteration
Wa lā tamuddanna 'aynayika ilā mā matta'nā bihi azwājan minhum zahrata al-hayāti ad-dunyā linaftinnahum fīhi wa rizqu rabbika khayrun wa abqā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (and by extension, the believers) not to extend his gaze toward the worldly luxuries and adornments that Allah has granted to various groups of people as a means of trial for them. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this ayah warns against coveting the material possessions of others, emphasizing that the provision from Allah is superior in quality and lasting in nature, unlike the temporary pleasures of this life. Al-Qurtubi notes that the ayah addresses the natural human inclination toward material wealth while reinforcing the principle of contentment with divine provision.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Taha, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam when the Prophet and believers faced poverty and hardship while witnessing the wealth and luxury of Meccan polytheists. The ayah serves as spiritual encouragement to remain steadfast despite material deprivation, teaching that worldly possessions are merely a trial (fitnah) from Allah to distinguish the believers from others.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Look at those who have less than you and do not look at those who have more than you, as this is more likely to prevent you from belittling the blessings of Allah.' (Sahih Bukhari 3256). Additionally, the hadith regarding contentment: 'Whoever wakes up secure in his person, well in his body, and having food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been given to him.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2346)
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should guard their hearts against envy and the desire for material possessions beyond their needs, recognizing that Allah's provision is superior both in quality and permanence. True wealth lies in contentment with divine decree rather than in chasing the fleeting luxuries of this world.
Related Ayahs
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذْ يَقُولُ أَمْثَلُهُمْ طَرِيقَةً إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا يَوْمًا
We are most knowing of what they say when the best of them in manner [i.e., wisdom or speech] will say, "You remained not but one day."
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَلْقَىٰ
They said, "O Moses, either you throw or we will be the first to throw."
أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَلَّا يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا
Did they not see that it could not return to them any speech [i.e., response] and that it did not possess for them any harm or benefit?
فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا
So high [above all] is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muḥammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’ān before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."