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
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by that which they used to ridicule.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allāh or says, "It has been inspired to me," while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, "I will reveal [something] like what Allāh revealed." And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], "Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allāh other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant."
إِنَّ مَا تُوعَدُونَ لَـَٔاتٍ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
Indeed, what you are promised is coming, and you will not cause failure [to Allāh].
قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."