Translation
Their wealth and their families (ease of life) should not incline you to them with admirations. God only intends to have them suffer its consequences while in this world and let their soul depart them while they are still in denial. When a chapter [surah] is revealed asking them to confirm their faith in God and to strive hard along with the Messenger from God, the wealthy among them ask for exemption and say: “Let us be with those who wish to stay back.” They would rather stay back as if their hearts were sealed, disarming them to comprehend (their responsibilities) 442
As for the Messenger and those who are with him struggling hard with their persons and their possessions are worthy of goodness of life and they will become successful. God has prepared for them Gardens place of peace and plenty [in which rivers flow] to reside; they are the real successful! 443
Interpretation
442 God’s gifts of wealth and families are as much a means to bestow His blessings to those who are faithful and act responsibly as these are trials and temptations for those who are inclined to selfishness, claim entitlements, and do injustice in the world in the name of such gifts. They are more interested in the fleeting comforts of life and the vanities that such wealth and family represent and make all kinds of excuses not to pursue the life of truth and justice for all and to dedicate the resources that God gifted them in the services of such purposes that benefit others along with them and not exclusively to themselves. Such postures and behaviors only reinforce the lack of affinity for truth and justice and makes them move further from comprehending the realities of life and our journey back to God, to whom we are ultimately accountable.
443 In contrast to the people who abuse their wealth and their family resources, the Prophet and his followers pursued a different strategy to strive hard for truth and justice and were committed to use their wealth and their persons to advance such causes in their societies. This is the proper course for the people of faith and goodness. The Qur’an strongly encourages and assures them that besides being successful in this life, God has also prepared gardens (heavens) for them in the afterlife that will contain peace and plenty for all such champions of human dignity and human freedom to choose and to act responsibly before the life as we know it ends.
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REFLECTION
There is sharp contrast between those who abuse their gifts of life and wealth that benefit none but themselves and, worse, use these as tools to exploit others versus people who act responsibly and humbly and engage in constant pursuits, not only to make them better human beings but also to dedicate their resources and persons to benefit others. This is a central message of God’s guidance for all people of faith and goodness.
ACTION
Seeking appropriate balance in life to nurture oneself and to dedicate a part of our resources and energies to make the world a better place is built into our constructs as human being, if we wish to remain true to our nature and to be aligned with God. This is the ultimate challenge and also the source of ultimate success when all things are said and done.