مول

Core meaning

What one possesses, goods: most often named by the use made of them, spent or devoured.

Uses

1. أَمْوَٰل → "goods" : what one possesses, spent or devoured.

   • «وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ» — "And do not devour your goods among yourselves through falsehood" (2:188)
   • «مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ» — "The example of those who spend their goods in the way of God" (2:261)

2. مَال → "goods" : the riches one boasts of.

   • «أَنَا۠ أَكْثَرُ مِنكَ مَالًۭا» — "I am richer than you in goods" (18:34)

Evidence from the text

Goods are almost never named alone: they are spent or devoured. Spent, "in the way of God" (2:261) or "for show before men," (4:38). Devoured, "through falsehood" (2:188, 9:34), or added to one's own when they belong to the orphan: "and do not devour their goods with yours" (4:2).

They are also what one boasts of: "I am richer than you in goods" (18:34); "We have more goods and children, and we will not be punished" (34:35). To the one who believes and guards himself, God "will not ask you for your goods" (47:36).

Distinctions

• متع — enjoyment, a benefit drawn for a time; مول is what one possesses

See also

نفق (to spend) · اكل (to devour)