The Fitnah of Wealth Is More than the Fitnah of Children

Question posed to Imaam Ibn Baaz رحمه الله: The mentioning of the wealth always come before the mentioning of the children in the Qur'aan although the children are more precious with the parent than his wealth. What is the wisdom behind that?

Answer: The fitnah of the wealth is more (than the fitnah of the children). That is because the wealth aids him upon fulfilling the prohibited desires and other than that. This is different from the children. Indeed it is possible that the parent is tested by them and he disobeys Allaah due to them. However, the fitnah of wealth is greater and more severe. Based upon this, Allaah began with (mentioning) the wealth before the children.

Like in His statement:

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ

“It is not your wealth or your children which gets you closer to Us.”

(Saba 34:37)

And His statement:

إِنَّمَاأَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ

“Indeed your wealth and your children are only a test.”

(At-Taghaabun 64:15)

And His statement:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَاأَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُالْخَاسِرُونَ

“O you who believe, do not let your wealth nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. Whoever does so then those are the ones whom are the losers.”

(Al-Munaafiqoon 63:9)

{Majmoo’ Tafseer Aayaat Min al-Qur-aan al-Kareem Pg. 336}