Do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others

[ZeeshanParvez]

And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.

[Qur'aan 4:32]


When a person begins to long, yearn, desire, or wish for that which others have it leads to jealousy and treating others unjustly.

It is said that this Verse was revealed in regards to women who wished to have the rank of men.

They would complain that men get to go out for military expeditions while we do not, and we have only half of inheritance when compared to them. The women would wish that they could take part in military expeditions and attain what men attain when they take part in military expeditions. Some would wish they were men so they could go out for military expeditions in the way of Allaah.

It also refers to instances such as when a person say, O If I only had the wealth of so and so.

Men and women both have been given ranks and blessings. One is not to yearn for what the other has. Rather, one is to be content with the division of Allah.


"...For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty..."



The scholars differed in regards to this portion of the Verse.

Some say it refers to the reward one earns based on obedience.

Others said it refers to the division of inheritance.

al-Tabari says the first opinion is the correct one. The reason he presents is that the Qur'aan says what one has earned. You do not earn the inheritance. Rather,

Allaah has already laid out what one will have in regards to the inheritance.

Had this portion referred to the inheritance, he says, then it would have read:

For men is a portion of that which they have not earned and for women is a portion of that which they have not earned.

Inheritance is not earned. It has already been set out by Allaah. Hence, the correct opinion is that it refers to what one earns of good by obeying Allaah. That is something one earns. The allotted portions of inheritance are not something one earns. They have been laid out. You do not earn them.


"...And ask Allah of his bounty..."


This portion means that we are to ask Allaah that He helps us in doing deeds which please Him. We are to ask Him to give us taufiiq to do good and earn rewards. The word bounty here refers to His taufiiq and help in doing good.


Reference(s):
Tafsir al-Tabari
Volume 8 Page 260-269