Don’t be fooled by this Dunyā

Imām ash-Shawkānī (d. 1250 هـ) stated that an abundance of Rizq is no proof that Allāh is pleased with a servant:

«وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ»

«And Allāh provides for whoever He wills without measure» [2:212]

وَيُحْتَمَلُ أَنَّ الْمَعْنَى: أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُوَسِّعُ عَلَى بَعْضِ عِبَادِهِ فِي الرِّزْقِ،

And it is possible that the meaning is: that Allāh expands for some of His servants in provision,

كَمَا وَسَّعَ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ الرُّؤَسَاءِ مِنَ الْكُفَّارِ اسْتِدْرَاجًا لَهُمْ،

just as He expanded for those leaders of the Kuffār as gradual drawing-on (to punishment; istidrāǧ) for them,

وَلَيْسَ فِي التَّوْسِعَةِ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى أَنَّ مَنْ وُسِّعَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ رَضِيَ عَنْهُ

and there is no proof in the expansion (of provision; e.g. wealth) that the one for whom was expanded has thereby been one with whom (Allāh) is pleased

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