ﲞ ﲟ ﲠ ﲡ ﲢ ﲣ ﲤ ﲥ ﲦ ﲧ ﲨ ﲩ ﲪ ﲫ ﲬ ﲭ ﲮ ﲯ ﲰ ﲱ ﲲ ﲳ ﲴ
And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure].
Tafsir
Verse range: 34:37
(37) And it is not your wealth nor your children that bring you near to Us in station,
This means that their claim, "We have more wealth, so we are better situated with God," is not a valid proof. Wealth does not bring one closer to God, nor is there any consideration given to being strengthened by it.
What is beneficial is righteous action after faith. The evidence for this is that wealth and children distract one from God, thus distancing them from Him. How, then, could they bring one closer? Righteous action is turning toward God and being occupied with Him. Whoever turns to God, connects with Him; whoever seeks something from God, obtains it.
but only he who believes and does righteous deeds—for them shall be the recompense of their deeds multiplied,
The phrase "recompense of their deeds multiplied" refers to the reward for good deeds, because multiplication only occurs in good deeds; for evil deeds, there is only the like (equal recompense).
and they shall be in the high chambers, secure.
Adding the phrase, "and they shall be in the high chambers, secure," is an indication of the perpetuity and eternal nature of the bliss. For one from whom blessings are cut off cannot be secure.
(38) But those who strive against Our signs, seeking to frustrate [Us], they will be brought forth to the punishment.
Translator's Note: The structure follows the verse-by-verse format, preserving the flow of Al-Razi's commentary on the preceding verses (34:37) before introducing the next verse (34:38).
