Surah Al-Fajr — Verse 20

Word Meanings:

• Tuḥibbūn (تُحِبُّونَ): You love, cherish, and are deeply attached to.
• Al-Māl (الْمَالَ): Wealth, riches, possessions, and material resources.
• Ḥubban jammā (حُبًّا جَمًّا): Excessive, intense, and overwhelming love—love that knows no bounds and consumes the heart.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah (Glorified be He) exposes a painful reality about the human condition: our intense, all-consuming attachment to wealth. The phrase "ḥubban jammā" describes a love that is not ordinary or moderate—it is a love that overflows, that dominates the heart and mind, and that drives a person to hoard, accumulate, and cling to riches at any cost.

This love of wealth is not merely a harmless preference; it becomes a spiritual disease when it leads us to neglect our duties toward Allah and toward His creation. When wealth becomes the ultimate goal, we forget that it is a trust from Allah, a means to test us, and a tool for good. Instead of spending it in charity, supporting the needy, and strengthening the bonds of community, we hold onto it tightly, fearing loss and craving more.

The verse comes as part of a larger passage that rebukes those who believe that wealth and status are signs of Allah's favor. Allah corrects this misconception: true honor lies not in riches but in obedience to Him. Yet, despite this, people still cling to their wealth with a love that is "jamm"—excessive, intense, and all-encompassing. This love blinds them to the needs of others, hardens their hearts, and distances them from the mercy of Allah.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, pause and ask yourself: What place does wealth hold in your heart? Do you love it for what it enables you to do—to help others, to please Allah, to build a better life—or do you love it for its own sake, as an end in itself?

Islam does not condemn wealth; it condemns the love of wealth that enslaves the heart. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us: "Every nation has a trial, and the trial of my nation is wealth" (reported by al-Tirmidhi). This is a gentle reminder that wealth can be a test—a test of whether we will use it for good or hoard it selfishly.

The remedy is simple yet profound: transform your love for wealth into love for Allah. When you spend your money in charity, you are not losing it; you are investing it in your eternal future. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The son of Adam says, 'My wealth, my wealth!' But do you possess anything except what you eat and consume, what you wear and wear out, and what you give in charity and thus preserve?" (reported by Muslim).

So, let this verse be a wake-up call. Examine your heart. If you find an excessive love for money, soften it by giving generously, by remembering that everything you own is temporary, and by trusting that Allah—the Provider—will never abandon you. True peace comes not from accumulating treasures on earth, but from investing in the eternal rewards of the Hereafter. May Allah purify our hearts and make us among those who spend their wealth in His cause with love and sincerity.