Why does Allah Bestow fadhl Upon Some Over Others?

(For the Muslim heart, the bounties of Allah are not mere coincidences but deliberate gifts from Allah, calling us to reflect, appreciate, and respond with gratitude. These blessings, as numerous as the stars in the night sky, are bestowed upon us in every moment and with every breath we take. From the air that fills our lungs to the intricate design of the universe, each is a testament to the infinite mercy and provision of our Creator. Allah has reminded numbers of blessings He has bestowed upon mankind. This article gives a glimpse of the Bounties of Allah and advocates for being grateful to Allah because of the accountability that will be questioned on the day of Judgement.)

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed fadhl or favor or grace.” [Surah Al Fatiha: 7]

fadhl means bounty, privilege and blessing. Allah can choose and give His fadhl to anyone he wishes without anyone’s intervention or suggestion. He has declared in the Qur’an that He is the Lord of Bounties,

“That is the fadhl of Allah, and He bestows upon whomever He wishes. He is the Lord of Bounty.” [Surah Al Hadid: 21]

“Allah is full of fadhl to mankind, but a majority of them do not thank him.” [Surah Al Baqarah: 243]

Reasons for fadhl of Allah Are Plenty There are different types of bounties mentioned in the Quran, such as knowledge, status, miracles, privileges, and rizq (provisions), and most of them are for the test. Bounties are also a reward from Allah for the people of tawheed and obedience. In surah al-Nisa, Allah mentions who are bestowed with fadhl and grace of Allah

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, the Prophets, the Siddiqin (the truly faithful), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! Such is the bounty from Allah, and Allah is sufficient to know. [Surah al-Nisa’, 4:69-70]

There are many bounties that Allah bestows upon all human beings. The Quran reminds us,

“And if you count the favors of Allah, you cannot enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah An-Nahl, 16:18].

The Best Fadhl is a Reward  For the Best People  

“Compete with one another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. This is the favor of Allah. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty.” [Surah Al Hadid: 21]

The above ayat informs about a great fadhl, which is Paradise, as vast as the  heavens and earth. The way to earn this bounty is to be ahead of others in begging for forgiveness from Allah and a firm belief in Allah and His Messenger. No one can enter Paradise without imaan (faith) and being forgiven by Allah. Some People are Given the Privilege of Health and Strength as a Test When Bani Israel asked their Prophets to pray to Allah to appoint a king for them under whom they would fight in the way of Allah, Allah responded to them to choose Talut as a King. However, Bani Israel objected to this choice and argued that they had more qualified people, but Allah refuted them by informing them about the privilege Talut had over them.

Allah has chosen him above you and has gifted him abundant knowledge and physical strength. Allah grants authority upon whom He wishes.” [Surah Al Baqarah: 247]

Some Bounties are Bestowed Upon Some to Stop Mischief on Earth In the story of Dawood killing Jalut, Allah confirms that he was bestowed with Power and Wisdom because

Had Allah not repelled a group of people by the might of another, corruption would have dominated the earth, but Allah is the Owner of fadhl to all. [Surah Al Baqarah: 251]

Being a Follower of Allah’s Messenger Fadhl

“He is the One Who raised for the illiterate people a Messenger from among themselves—reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, for indeed they had previously been astray. along with others who have not yet joined them in faith. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise. That is the fadhl of Allah, and He grants it to whomever He wishes to.” [Surah Al Jumuah: 2]

The fadhl of Allah also makes a person submit in obedience to the Messenger, irrespective of his immense status, high intelligence, or richness. The unfortunate leaders of Quraish rejected the messengership of Prophet Muhammed because of their ego, whereas the freed slaves, the poor, and the widows were the earliest to accept the religion of Allah. No one can accept Islam without the guidance and tawfeeq of Allah.

But Allah chooses for His mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty. [Al Baqarah:105]

Fadhl and Status are Meant to Test our Faith In a few places of the Qur’an, Allah reminds Bani Israel of how he gave them fadhilat – privilege over the rest of humanity. Bani Israel is the strongest example of a community that turned the favor of Allah into His anger, and became a people upon whom His wrath descends. The bounties of Allah to them were plenty, and it included, choosing Prophets from among them, food from Paradise (Manno Salwa), Pharoah and his army being drowned before their eyes, and water flowing out from stones, to name a few. Yet they disregarded the fadhl of Allah and chose to worship the calf, and they called upon Musa to show them Allah,  killed the Prophets, such as Zakariya and Yahya, and tried to kill Isa ibn Maryam and Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon all of them). Bani Israel failed to be grateful towards the bounties of Allah.

O children of Israel! Remember My favors upon you exalting you above all the nations. [Surah Al Baqarah: 40]

When Bani Israel questioned Musa about the troubles they were undergoing through Pharoah, he replied,

“Allah would soon get them rid of the atrocious people and make you the inheritors of the land to test you on how you behave.” [Surah Al Araf: 129].

Even the Prophets Have Certain Privilege Over One Another The fadhl bestowed upon Prophets were meant to test their people as proof of their prophethood.

“We have chosen some of those messengers above others. Allah spoke directly to some, and raised some high in rank. To Jesus, son of Mary, We gave clear proofs and supported him with the holy spirit.” [Surah Al Baqarah: 253]

Allah’s Bounties Were Also to test the Prophets Allah uses the example of Prophet Dawood and Sulayman to remind the people that He tested the Prophets with bounties. When Prophet Sulayman was assured by one of his courtiers that he would bring the throne of the queen within the blink of his eyes, and he presented it, he realized that Allah had tested him with fadhl so he exclaimed,

This is by the grace of my Lord to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, it is only for their good. But whoever is ungrateful, surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous. [Surah Naml: 40]

Even a thanking heart is a bounty and that is what Prophet Sulayman asked Allah for. When he heard the ants speaking, he realized the value of the bounty that Allah had given him that no one before him was gifted with.

So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.” [Surah an-Naml: 19]

Wealth: A Fadhl that is Tested Wealth is from the fadhl of Allah, which He bestows upon whom He wills. Our livelihood and daily affairs of this world are dependent on wealth. It is through wealth that one eats, adorns himself with clothes, has a residence, and earns one’s livelihood. And among the five essential things for a person, wealth is mentioned more than 80 times in the Holy Qur’an. Allah has made wealth a means of livelihood and misusing it is counted as a fellowship of Satan and being ungrateful. Allah says:

“Do not give your wealth to foolish people, Allah has made this wealth a means of sustaining your livelihood. [Surah an-Nisa: 5]

“Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarer. Do not squander your wealth wastefully for those who squander wastefully are Satan’s brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.” [Surah Isra: 26-27]

The bounties of Allah are not just mere gifts, but are a reminder of His infinite mercy, a sign of His love, and a call to His service. From the air that sustains us to the faith that guides us, each bounty is a beacon of His benevolence. In the Quran, Allah says,   “And few of My servants are grateful.” [Surah Saba:13] Consider this as a wake-up call and be among those who recognize and appreciate the favours of Allah. Gratitude (Shukr) is not just a feeling but an action. It is expressed through our prayers, our conduct, and our efforts to use Allah’s gifts in a manner that pleases Him.