قُلْ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَامِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ 135
Translations
Say, "O my people, work according to your position; [for] indeed, I am working. And you are going to know who will have succession in the home. Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed."
Transliteration
Qul yā qawmi 'amalū 'alā makānatikum innī 'āmilun fasawfa ta'lamūn man takūnu lahū 'āqibatu ad-dāri innahu lā yuflihu az-zālimūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to tell his people to continue in their disbelief and opposition, for he will persist in calling them to Allah's way, and soon they will witness who will attain the good end in the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this ayah contains a powerful challenge and warning: the ultimate outcome belongs only to those who follow the truth, and oppressors will inevitably fail. The phrase 'āqibatu ad-dāri (the end of the Hereafter) is key—the final consequence that truly matters is eternal, not temporary worldly advantage.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period when the Quraysh persistently rejected the Prophet's message despite his clear warnings. It reflects the broader context of Surah Al-An'am, which emphasizes the inevitability of Allah's judgment and the futility of opposing His signs, addressing the Meccan polytheists' stubborn resistance to monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The hadith reported in Tirmidhi wherein the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' relates thematically to the unwavering call to truth. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim: 'The best jihad is a word of truth before a tyrannical ruler,' reflecting the courage required to maintain one's stance as shown in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that remaining firm on the path of truth, regardless of opposition or ridicule, is paramount—for success is ultimately measured by the Hereafter, not by worldly acceptance. Modern readers should find courage in the knowledge that while truth may face temporary rejection, injustice and falsehood are inherently destined to fail, making unwavering conviction and patient perseverance the true markers of wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ ۙ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ وَلِىٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
And warn by it [i.e., the Qur’ān] those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord - for them besides Him will be no protector and no intercessor - that they might become righteous.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَـٰتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ
And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفْـِٔدَتَهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرَهُمْ كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَنَذَرُهُمْ فِى طُغْيَـٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
And We will turn away their hearts and their eyes just as they refused to believe in it [i.e., the revelation] the first time. And We will leave them in their transgression, wandering blindly.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَ ۖ ثُمَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those who disbelieve equate [others] with their Lord.