وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَـٰتِكُمْ فِى حَيَاتِكُمُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهَا فَٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَفْسُقُونَ 20
Translations
And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire [it will be said], "You exhausted your pleasures during your worldly life and enjoyed them, so this Day you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation because you were arrogant upon the earth without right and because you were defiantly disobedient."
Transliteration
Wa-yawma yu'radu alladhina kafarū 'ala al-nāri adhhabtum tayyibātikum fī hayātikum al-dunyā wa-istamta'tum bihā fa-al-yawma tujzawna 'adhāba al-hūni bimā kuntum tastakbirūna fī al-ardi bighayri al-haqqi wa-bimā kuntum tafsiqūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when disbelievers will be presented before the Hellfire and reminded that they consumed and enjoyed all their good things in this worldly life, leaving nothing for the Hereafter. Al-Tabari emphasizes that 'tayyibāt' (good things) refers to lawful pleasures they indulged in without gratitude to Allah or obedience to His commands. They will now be punished with humiliation and torment ('adhāba al-hūn) because of their arrogance on earth and their transgression against divine truth, as Ibn Kathir notes—their punishment corresponds directly to their sins of pride and wickedness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ahqaf, a Meccan chapter primarily addressing the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and persisted in their arrogance and rejection of Allah's signs. The surah contrasts the fates of believers and disbelievers, with this particular ayah illustrating a moment on the Day of Judgment when the consequences of their choices become apparent.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most beloved place to Allah is the mosques, and the most hated place to Allah is the marketplace' (Sahih Muslim 671), highlighting the contrast between those who prioritize the Hereafter versus those consumed by worldly desires. Also relevant is the hadith: 'Verily, your wealth and your children are trial and tribulation' (Surah At-Taghabun 64:15, explained in context by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that temporary worldly comforts obtained through disobedience to Allah carry no value in the Hereafter and will ultimately lead to regret and punishment. Believers should balance enjoying lawful sustenance with gratitude, obedience, and remembrance of the eternal consequences of their choices, ensuring they do not squander their good deeds and spiritual resources on transient pleasures.