Translation of the meanings Ayah 71 Surah An-Nahl - English Translation - Dr. Waleed Bleyhesh Omary - The Noble Qur'an Encyclopedia

Ayah: 71

وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ فِي ٱلرِّزۡقِۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُواْ بِرَآدِّي رِزۡقِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌۚ أَفَبِنِعۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ

(71) ^[3351]And Allah favoured some of you above others in provision; those whom are favoured would not partake their provision with those whom their right hands possess^[3352] and thus they become equal in it—do they deny ˹then˺ Allah’s favour!^[3353]

[3351] This is another strong indication of God’s limitless Ability over humans; their provision is not dependent on their merit or capabilities but on God’s favouring of any of them for hidden, unseen reasons not fathomed by them (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr). It is also for those who were given wealth, like the well-to-do Makkan idolaters who stood in the face of the Call to Truth, such that they would consider the source of their wealth and why they were favoured over others, especially the slaves who were no less human than themselves (cf. Abū Ḥayyān).
[3352] Mā malakat aymānukum are one’s male and female slaves.
[3353] If they would not agree to equally partake of their wealth with their slaves, how would they set up Associates with God Almighty whom they share His worship with, while they have no ownership over them whatsoever! (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, al-Samʿānī, al-Saʿdī). God Almighty is the only Benefactor of humans and Who has Absolute Power over their lives and destinies; so He will accept no Association from them in their devotional acts.