(32) “Do not covet what Allah has favored some of you over others with. Men shall have a share of what they earn, and women shall have a share of what they earn. Ask Allah of His bounty. Surely Allah has full knowledge of all things.”

Allah Most High forbids the believers from coveting what He has bestowed upon some of them over others, whether it concerns matters that are attainable or unattainable. Women, therefore, should not wish for the particular qualities of men by which they have been favored over women; nor should one afflicted by poverty and deficiency merely wish for the state of wealth and perfection. This is envy itself: wishing that Allah’s blessing upon another person would become yours and be taken away from them. It also entails discontent with Allah’s decree and surrendering to idleness and vain wishes unaccompanied by effort or endeavor.

Only two things are praiseworthy: that a servant strive, to the best of his ability, for what benefits him in his religious and worldly affairs; and that he ask Allah Most High of His bounty, relying neither upon himself nor upon anyone besides his Lord. Hence Allah Most High says, “Men shall have a share of what they earn”—that is, from the deeds they perform that lead to the desired result—“and women shall have a share of what they earn.” Each person will obtain only what they have earned and labored for.

“Ask Allah of His bounty”—that is, ask Him for everything beneficial to you in your religious and worldly affairs. This is the servant’s perfection and the hallmark of his happiness. This does not describe one who abandons effort, one who relies upon himself without recognizing his need for his Lord, or one who combines both faults; such a person is forsaken and lost.

As for His words, “Surely Allah has full knowledge of all things,” He gives to those whom He knows to be worthy and withholds from those whom He knows to be undeserving.