Transliteration:( Zuyyina lillazeena kafarul hayaatud dunyaa wa yaskharoona minal lazeena aamanoo; wallazeenat taqaw fawqahum yawmal Qiyaamah; wallaahu yarzuqu mai yashaaa'u bighairi hisaab; )
489. Worldly life is that which is wasted on one's whims and fancies while that which is spent on acquiring the means for the Hereafter, by the Grace of Allah is religious life. In this verse reference is made to those who are unmindful about the Hereafter.
490. From this verse we learn that to make fun of poor Muslims or to disgrace a believer is the way of life of the disbelievers. No matter how wealthy a sinner or a disbeliever may be, he is in reality disgraceful, while a believer from any race or 'clan' may be materially poor, but he is honourable, provided he is pious.
491. It should be remembered that the believers on the Day of Judgement will be given prominence and dignity and sent to Paradisewhile the non-believers will be in Hell. In reality, even today the believers are given prominence over the non-believers. Allah the Almighty says: "The honour is for Allah, and His Messenger and the believers" (S63: V8).
492. Wealthy in this world. From this verse we understand that having abundance of wealth in this world is no criteria for possessing the love of Allah. Many a times the non-believers are found to be wealthy, and the believers to be poor. Although Hazrat Imam Hussain (on whom be peace) was martyred and the people of Yazid gained outward victory, this victory of theirs was the most detestable in the sight of Allah. Thus the sign of Allah's love is marked by being on the path of guidance.
211. Ask the Children of Israel how many clear Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) We gave them. And whoever changes Allah’s favor after it has come to him, ﴿e.g., renounces the religion of Allah (Islam) and accepts Kufr (disbelief)﴾ then surely, Allah is severe in punishment. 212. Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who have Taqwa, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives (of His bounty, blessings, favors, and honors on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit.
Allah mentioned that the Children of Israel, were witnesses to many clear signs that attest to the truth of Moses regarding what he was sent with for them. They witnessed his hand (when it became lit with light), his parting the sea, his striking the rock (and water flowed from the rock), the clouds that shaded them during the intense heat, the manna and the quails, and so forth. These signs attested to the existence of the Creator and the truth of Moses by whose hand these signs appeared. Yet, so many among them changed Allah’s favor, by preferring disbelief to faith and by ignoring Allah’s favors,
(And whoever changes Allah’s favor after it had come to him, then surely, Allah is severe in punishment.)
Similarly, Allah said about the disbelievers of Quraysh:
(Have you not seen those who have changed the blessings of Allah into disbelief, and caused their people to dwell in the house of destruction Hell, in which they will burn, ـ and what an evil place to settle in!) (14:28, 29)
Then Allah states that He has made the life of this world beautiful for the disbelievers who are satisfied with it, who collect wealth, but refrain from spending it on what they have been commanded, which could earn them Allah’s pleasure. Instead, they ridicule the believers who ignore this life and who spend whatever they earn on what pleases their Lord. The believers spend seeking Allah’s Face, and this is why they have gained the ultimate happiness and the best share on the Day of the Return. Therefore, they will be exalted above the disbelievers at the Gathering Place, when they are gathered, during the resurrection and in their final destination. The believers will reside in the highest grades in the utmost highs, while the disbelievers will reside in the lowest of lows (in the Fire).
This is why Allah said:
(And Allah gives to whom He wills without limit.)
This Ayah indicates that Allah gives sustenance to whomever He wills of His servants without count or limit in this and the Hereafter. A Hadith has stated (that Allah said):
(O son of Adam! Spend (in Allah’s cause) and I (Allah) will spend on you.) The Prophet said:
(O Bilal! Spend and do not fear deprivation from the Owner of the Throne.)
Allah said:
(…and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s cause), He will replace it.) (34:39) In addition, it is reported in the Sahih (that the Prophet said):
(Every day two angels come down from heavens and one of them says, `O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your cause,’ and the other (angel) says, `O Allah! Destroy every miser.’) Also in the Sahih:
(The son of Adam says, `My money, my money!’ Yet, what is your money except that which you eat and use up, wear and tear, and spend in charity and thus keep (in your record). Other than that, it will go away and will be left for the people (the inheritors).)
In addition, Imam Ahmad reported that the Prophet said:
(The Dunya (life of this world) is the residence of those who have no residence, the wealth of those who have no wealth, and it is harvested by those who have no sense of reason.)
(2:212) Worldly life has been made attractive to those who have denied the Truth. Such men deride the men of faith, but the pious shall rank higher than them on the Day of Resurrection. As for worldly livelihood, Allah grants it to whomsoever He wills without measure.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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