ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ 20
Translations
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allāh and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
Transliteration
I'lamoo anna mal-hayaatul-dunya la'ibun wa lahwun wa zeenatun wa tafaakhur baynaakum wa takathur fil-amwali wal-awlad. Kamathali ghayth a'jaba alkuffara nabatuh, thumma yahij fatarahu musfarran, thumma yakoon hutaman. Wa fil-akhirati adhabun shadidun wa maghfiratun minallah wa ridwanuh. Wa mal-hayaatul-dunya illa mata'ul-ghurur.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that worldly life is merely a fleeting distraction consisting of play, amusement, adornment, mutual boasting about wealth and children. The life of this world is compared to rain that causes vegetation to flourish temporarily—pleasing to the disbelievers in its growth—but then withers and turns yellow, becoming brittle and worthless. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that just as vegetation dies despite its initial beauty, worldly pursuits are temporary and deceptive, while the Hereafter holds either severe punishment or Allah's forgiveness and pleasure for those who believe and act righteously.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid is a Medinan surah revealed to address believers during a period when worldly distractions and material pursuits were competing with devotion to Allah. This ayah contextualizes the believers' priorities within the broader Quranic theme distinguishing between transient worldly gains and eternal spiritual outcomes, serving as a corrective reminder against materialism and status-seeking.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world is green and sweet, and Allah has made you guardians over it' (Sahih Muslim 2242), which complements this ayah by acknowledging the world's appeal while emphasizing responsibility. Additionally, the hadith 'This world compared to the Hereafter is like one of you dipping his finger in the sea' (Sahih Muslim 2858) reinforces the ayah's message about the world's insignificance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should view worldly attachments—wealth, status, and possessions—as temporary illusions designed to distract from eternal priorities, maintaining balanced perspective and focusing on righteous deeds that benefit the soul in the Hereafter. The ayah teaches that true success lies not in accumulating worldly goods but in preparing for divine judgment through faith and good character.