إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ 36
Translations
Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allāh. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - unto Hell they will be gathered.
Transliteration
Inna alladhina kafaroo yunfiqoona amwalahum liyasiddoo an sabil illah. Fasayunfiqoonaha thumma takoonu alayhi m hasratan thumma yughlaboon. Walladhina kafaroo ila jahannama yuhsharoon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how disbelievers spend their wealth in futile attempts to obstruct the path of Allah and His message, but their efforts will ultimately be in vain and become a source of regret and humiliation for them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that despite their material investments in opposing Islam, the disbelievers will be defeated in this world and face eternal punishment in the Hereafter, demonstrating the futility of resisting Allah's divine plan.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anfal, revealed in Medina during the period of early Islamic conflicts. It was revealed in the context of the Battle of Badr (2 AH) and the struggles between the early Muslim community and the Meccan disbelievers who spent enormous resources to suppress Islam and fight against the Muslims.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13). Additionally, the Quran emphasizes in Surah At-Tawbah 9:34 regarding those who hoard wealth: their wealth will not benefit them on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
No amount of worldly wealth or resources can ultimately obstruct the path of Allah or prevent His message from prevailing; those who invest their efforts and means in opposing truth will face regret and defeat both in this life and the next. This teaches believers to trust in Allah's promise of victory regardless of the apparent material strength of opponents.
Related Ayahs
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَنَـٰزَعُوا۟ فَتَفْشَلُوا۟ وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ ۖ وَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And obey Allāh and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.
وَإِذْ يُرِيكُمُوهُمْ إِذِ ٱلْتَقَيْتُمْ فِىٓ أَعْيُنِكُمْ قَلِيلًا وَيُقَلِّلُكُمْ فِىٓ أَعْيُنِهِمْ لِيَقْضِىَ ٱللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
And [remember] when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes, and He made you [appear] as few in their eyes so that Allāh might accomplish a matter already destined. And to Allāh are [all] matters returned.
وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ
But if they turn away - then know that Allāh is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
[Remember] when you were asking help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another."