وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ ٱلْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِي۟ن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ ٱلْخَـٰلِدُونَ 34
Translations
And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?
Transliteration
Wa mā ja'alnā li-basharim min qablika al-khulda; afa-idhin mitta fahum al-khālidūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the universal reality of human mortality, asserting that Allah has not granted eternal life (khulud) to any human before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), nor will He grant it to anyone after him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this verse was revealed to console the Prophet and remind the disbelievers that death is an inevitable decree for all humanity, and therefore they should not arrogantly reject the message or expect to escape divine judgment. The rhetorical question at the end emphasizes that if even the greatest human (the Prophet) must die, then certainly the disbelievers cannot achieve immortality either.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Anbiya, which discusses various prophets and themes of resurrection and accountability. The immediate context addresses the disbelievers' mockery and arrogance toward the Prophet. This verse was likely revealed to strengthen the Prophet's resolve during persecution and to remind the Meccan society that mortality is a divine law that applies universally to all humans.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best day from the perspective of the sun is Friday, the day on which Adam was created and the day he died' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'Remember frequently the destroyer of pleasures—death' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), which relates to accepting human mortality as a fundamental reality.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to embrace the reality of human mortality with humility and use this awareness to focus on righteous deeds and spiritual preparation for the Hereafter, rather than becoming consumed with worldly pursuits or arrogance. It serves as a profound reminder that regardless of status or power, all humans face the same ultimate decree, which should inspire compassion, justice, and mindfulness of God.