Surah Saba — Verse 36

Word Meanings:

• Yabsut (يَبْسُطُ): To expand, enlarge, or grant abundantly.
• Ar-Rizq (الرِّزْق): Sustenance, provision, or worldly wealth and blessings.
• Yaqdir (يَقْدِرُ): To restrict, tighten, or measure out sparingly.

Explanation of the Verse:

O Messenger, say to those who are deceived by their wealth and worldly abundance, thinking it signifies honor and closeness to Allah: Indeed, my Lord expands provision for whom He wills and restricts it for whom He wills. This is not out of love for some and hatred for others, nor is it a sign of His pleasure or displeasure with a person. Rather, it is a test: when He grants wealth, He tests whether one will be grateful or ungrateful; when He withholds it, He tests whether one will remain patient or complain. He may give abundant wealth to someone as a gradual lure toward destruction, and He may restrict it for someone as a means of protection and purification. In all of this, there is profound wisdom that only Allah knows fully. However, most people do not understand this reality because they fail to reflect deeply. They mistakenly equate material abundance with divine favor and scarcity with divine punishment, unaware that Allah is All-Wise and does not decree anything without a purpose—whether that purpose is known to some or hidden from others.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, how often do we look at those around us and judge their standing with Allah based on their bank accounts or their hardships? This verse gently corrects our vision. Wealth is not a certificate of honor from Allah, nor is poverty a mark of disgrace. Both are tools of examination, and the real question is: how do we respond? When you are given much, do you remember the Giver and share with others? When you have little, does your heart remain content with His decree? The One who expands and restricts is your Lord—the Most Merciful, the All-Wise. He knows what is best for you better than you know yourself. So, do not be deceived by what you see, and do not despair over what you lack. Instead, turn your heart to Him in every state, for He is testing you to elevate you—if only you knew. This is the beauty of Islam: it frees you from the illusion of material measures and anchors your soul to the eternal wisdom of your Creator. Embrace this truth, and you will find peace that no amount of wealth or poverty can ever disturb.