*In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful*

*In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful*

# The Meaning of Wealth Being a Trial

*By: Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadwi, Oxford*
(_Translated with AI , prompted by Dilwar Ali_)

Dr. Syeda Hina Fatima from Mumbai is an Arabic language professor, and she is deeply engaged in spreading the teachings of the Qur’an. Recently, she has initiated a campaign to promote entrepreneurship among women. It appears that the Qur’an and Hadith encourage earning lawful wealth. However, the Qur’an also refers to wealth as a *fitnah* (trial), which might give the impression that wealth is condemned. She has asked me to write a response to clarify this issue, so that her students may overcome any confusion.

*Response*

In this world, there are two significant means for human beings to achieve purity, elevation, and self-sufficiency: one is knowledge, and the other is wealth. Women also need to advance in both these areas. The more educated women are, the more the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, polytheism, innovations, corruption, and superstition will be dispelled from Muslim societies. Unfortunately, in the Indian subcontinent, serious consideration has not yet been given to women’s education. Most people only support women’s education out of compulsion, and they are not willing to accept, in principle, that education is a fundamental religious and human right of women.

Similarly, financial independence will also give women dignity and help resolve the issues facing their families. Many women are widows or very poor. If they strive to earn money through employment or business, it will undoubtedly be a significant *jihad* (struggle). This *jihad* is possible even while raising children and fulfilling household responsibilities. From the time of Umm al-Mu’minin (Mother of the Believers) Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) until now, countless women have set excellent examples in this regard. Employment and business both have their merits, but business will always be preferable, and the reasons for this preference are quite evident.

The virtues of wealth are countless. The Qur’an describes wealth as a means for human sustenance and survival: “And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:5). As you mentioned, there are Hadiths that encourage earning lawful wealth, and reason also acknowledges the importance of wealth.

The question arises: why is wealth referred to as a *fitnah* (trial) in these verses: “Your wealth and your children are but a trial.” (Surah At-Taghabun 64:15) and “And know that your properties and your children are but a trial.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:28)? Before answering this question, it is appropriate to explain the term *fitnah*. Al-Raghib al-Isfahani has written in his book *Mufradat al-Qur’an*: “The origin of *fitnah* is to put gold in the fire to distinguish its pure from its impure parts.” Thus, the primary meaning of this word is to test something by putting it through a trial, as Allah says: “And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:35).

When Allah tests people through something, it is not necessary that the thing itself is evil. In both the aforementioned verses, wealth and children are described as trials. These are among God’s greatest blessings. In Surah Nuh, it is said: “And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.'” (Surah Nuh 71:10-12).

People argue from the term *fitnah* to condemn wealth, but no one claims that children are condemned, even though both are mentioned together as a *fitnah*.

Remember, when God bestows blessings, two responsibilities fall upon the recipient: