ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًا 21
Translations
Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.
Transliteration
Unzur kayfa faddalna ba'dahum 'ala ba'd. Wa-lilakhiratu akbaru darajatin wa-akbaru tafdilan.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs the believer to observe how Allah has granted different degrees of excellence and provision to people in this world, emphasizing that these worldly distinctions are temporary and minor. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse points out that the true and greater differentiation and honor await in the Hereafter, where the ranks and distinctions granted by Allah will be infinitely greater and more meaningful than any worldly advantage.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Isra, which addresses the reality of divine wisdom in creation and the inequality of conditions among people. It serves as a reminder to believers not to be deceived by worldly inequalities of wealth, status, or power, as the Hereafter will reveal the true measure of honor and distinction based on faith and righteous deeds.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3662), relating to the true measure of distinction being character and piety rather than worldly status. Also relevant: 'Verily, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious' (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not become attached to or arrogant about worldly superiority, as true greatness and lasting honor are determined by piety and righteous deeds in preparation for the Hereafter, where Allah's differentiation will be far greater and more just.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ ۗ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ
And it is He who produced you from one soul and [gave you] a place of dwelling and of storage. We have detailed the signs for a people who understand.
وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful."
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لِرَبِّهِۦ لَكَنُودٌ
Indeed mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبْتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ
And of His signs is your sleep by night and day and your seeking of His bounty. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.