Allah states that some wives and children are enemies to their husbands and
fathers, in that they might be busied with them rather than with performing the
good deeds. Allah said in another Ayah,
[يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلَـدُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ
وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَـسِرُونَ ]
(O you who believe! Let not your properties or you children divert you from
the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that then they are the losers.)
(63:9) Allah the Exalted said here,
[فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ]
(therefore, beware of them!) for your religion, according to Ibn Zayd.
Mujahid explained the Ayah ,
[إِنَّ مِنْ
أَزْوَجِكُمْ وَأَوْلـدِكُمْ عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ]
(Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you;) by
saying, "They might direct the man to sever his relation or disobey his Lord.
The man, who loves his wives and children, might obey them in this case.'' Ibn
Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said to a man who asked him about this Ayah,
[يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
ءَامَنُواْ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَجِكُمْ وَأَوْلـدِكُمْ عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ
فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ]
(O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are
enemies for you; therefore beware of them!) "There were men who embraced Islam
in Makkah and wanted to migrate to Allah's Messenger . However, their wives and
children refused to allow them. Later when they joined Allah's Messenger , they
found that those who were with him (the Companions) have gained knowledge in the
religion, so they were about to punish their wives and children. Allah the
Exalted sent down this Ayah,
[وَإِن تَعْفُواْ
وَتَصْفَحُواْ وَتَغْفِرُواْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ]
(But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive, then verily, Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)'' At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith and said that
it is Hasan Sahih. Allah's statement,
[إِنَّمَآ
أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ]
(Your wealth and your children are only a Fintah, whereas Allah! With Him is
a great reward.) Allah said that the wealth and children are a test and trial
from Allah the Exalted for His creatures, so that He knows those who obey Him
and those who disobey Him. Allah's statement,
[وَاللَّهُ
عِنْدَهُ]
(whereas Allah! With Him) meaning, on the Day of Resurrection,
[أَجْرٌ
عَظِيمٌ]
(is a great reward.) As Allah said;
[زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ
حُبُّ الشَّهَوَتِ مِنَ النِّسَآءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَـطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ
مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالأَنْعَـمِ وَالْحَرْثِ
ذَلِكَ مَتَـعُ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَأَبِ ]
(Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women children, Qanatir
Al-Muqantarah of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses, cattle and
well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah
has the excellent return with him.) (3:14), and the Ayah after it. Imam Ahmad
recorded that Buraydah said, "The Messenger of Allah was giving a speech and
Al-Hasan and Husayn came in wearing red shirts, walking and tripping. The
Messenger descended from the Minbar, held them and placed them in front of them
and said,
«صَدَقَ اللهُ
وَرَسُولُهُ إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ، نَظَرْتُ إِلَى
هَذَيْنِ الصَّبِيَّيْنِ يَمْشِيَانِ وَيَعْثُرَانِ، فَلَمْ أَصْبِرْ حَتْى
قَطَعْتُ حَدِيثِي وَرَفَعْتُهُمَا»
(Allah and His Messenger said the truth,`Verily, your wealth and your
children are a Fitnah.' I saw these two boys walking and tripping and could not
be patient until I stopped my speech and picked them up.)'' This was recorded by
the Sunan compilers, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Gharib.''
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