The Ayah: 'Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world'

Q: Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. Why does Allah mention wealth before children in this Ayah (Qur'anic verse)? What is the wisdom behind this?

A: Although children are more precious to most people, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) mentions wealth before children in the Ayah which reads: Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. Because it is deep-rooted in adornment and sustenance. Wealth is also more general than children as a person may have wealth at any (Part No. 3; Page No. 170) age but only married people may have children. Wealth safeguards life, whereas children maintain the continuity of the human species. The need for wealth is more than the need for children; and it is more elementary in life than children. Finally, wealth in the absence of children is an adornment, whereas a person who has children but not wealth lives in suffering.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.