Islam Guidance

Verse32

(32) وَلاَ تَتَمَنَّوْاْ مَا فَضَّلَ اللّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُواْ وَ

لِلنِّسَاء نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ وَاسْأَلُواْ اللّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

32. " And do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others. Men shall have a benefit of what they earn and women shall have a benefit of what they earn; and ask Allah of His Grace; verily Allah knows all things."
Occasion of Revelation
Upon the occasion of revelation of this holy verse, it has been cited that: Once Ummus-Salamah, a wife of the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.), asked him (p.b.u.h.): " Why do men go to Holy Struggle but women do not? Why has Islam legislated inheritance for us half of men's portion? We wish we were men and went to Holy Struggle like men and equally obtained their social position."
The above verse was revealed and responded to this kind of questions and the like of them.

Commentary :
For a group of Muslims, the difference of the portion of men and women in inheritance had become a question. It seemed that they did not notify that this difference was for the reason that generally the totality of the life expenditure is as a duty upon men, while women are free from it. Besides that, the expenditure of women themselves is upon men, too. Thus, as it was mentioned before, the portion of women, can, practically, be twice as much as that of men. Therefore, the holy verse says:
"And do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others. ..."
It is such because, there are some secrects in each of these differences that are covered and concealed for you.
Of course, it should not be misunderstood that the verse points to some actual and natural differences, not those forged differences that have been produced as a result of transgression and exploitation performed by some social classes.
Then, immediately after that, it says:
" ... Men shall have a benefit of what they earn and women shall have a benefit of what they earn; ... "
This difference might be either a natural one (like the difference of the two genders: male and female with each other), or the difference resulted from the optional efforts and endeavours.
Then, it adds: in stead of desiring these kinds of difference, ask Allah of His Grace and Favour that He grants you different bounties, ranks and good rewards. It is in that case that you may become some happy and prosperous persons. It says:
" ... and ask Allah of His Grace;... "
So, at the end of the verse, it says:
" ... verily Allah knows all things. "
That is, He knows whatever sort of natural or financial differences are necessary for the social regularity. Allah also knows the innate secrets of people and, therefore, He knows who has unjust desires in the heart and, on the other side, which persons think of what is proper, positive, and constructive.

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