وَقَدِمْنَآ إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ هَبَآءً مَّنثُورًا 23
Translations
And We will approach [i.e., regard] what they have done of deeds and make them as dust dispersed.
Transliteration
Wa qadimna ilā mā amilū min amalin fajaalnaahu hubāan manthūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the deeds of the disbelievers and polytheists on the Day of Judgment, whose works will be rendered completely void and scattered like dispersed dust particles. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that all the good deeds and efforts of those who rejected Allah's message will be nullified in the Hereafter, as their deeds were not performed with sincere faith in Allah. The metaphor of 'scattered dust' emphasizes the utter worthlessness and complete annihilation of their efforts.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Furqan, a Meccan surah that addresses the disbelievers of Mecca and clarifies fundamental Islamic concepts. The broader context discusses the state of the disbelievers in the Hereafter and how their worldly accomplishments and deeds will hold no value without the foundation of sincere faith (īmān) in Allah and His Messenger.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of deeds without sincere intention: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Deeds are judged by intentions, and each person will have [the reward of] only what they intended' (Sahih Bukhari 1). Also relevant: 'Whoever does a deed for other than Allah's sake, Allah will make his deed known [as insincere]' (Sunan Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a profound reminder that all our endeavors and accomplishments in this life are only meaningful and lasting if rooted in sincere faith in Allah and obedience to His commandments. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of examining our intentions and ensuring our deeds are performed solely for Allah's pleasure, not for worldly recognition or personal gain.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ شَرِيكٌ فِى ٱلْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ تَقْدِيرًا
He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and who has not taken a son and has not had a partner in dominion and has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّا مِّنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ هَادِيًا وَنَصِيرًا
And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper.
أَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ وَكِيلًا
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?
وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا
And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity or kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.