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
وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَىْءٍ ۗ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِۦ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ تَجْعَلُونَهُۥ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا ۖ وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنتُمْ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ ۖ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِى خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
And they did not appraise Allāh with true appraisal when they said, "Allāh did not reveal to a human being anything." Say, "Who revealed the Scripture that Moses brought as light and guidance to the people? You [Jews] make it into pages, disclosing [some of] it and concealing much. And you were taught that which you knew not - neither you nor your fathers." Say, "Allāh [revealed it]." Then leave them in their [empty] discourse, amusing themselves.
فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ۚ وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds.
وَهُوَ ٱلْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ تَوَفَّتْهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمْ لَا يُفَرِّطُونَ
And He is the subjugator over His servants, and He sends over you guardian-angels until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers [i.e., angels of death] take him, and they do not fail [in their duties].
مَّن يُصْرَفْ عَنْهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمَهُۥ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
He from whom it is averted that Day - [Allāh] has granted him mercy. And that is the clear attainment.