قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَـٰلًا 103
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds?
Transliteration
Qul hal nunabbikum bil-akhsireena a'mala
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to ask the disbelievers if He should inform them about those who are greatest losers in their deeds. This ayah introduces a rhetorical question that leads to the description of those whose efforts in this life are entirely wasted—namely, those who disbelieve and whose good deeds are nullified because they are not done with sincere faith in Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refers to those whose deeds lack the foundation of tawheed (monotheism) and sincere intention, rendering all their worldly accomplishments meaningless in the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the end of Surah Al-Kahf and serves as a rhetorical lead-in to verses 103-106, which describe the disbelievers whose deeds are wasted. The surah's broader context focuses on testing of faith and the consequences of rejecting Allah's guidance, making this verse thematically central to the surah's message about the ultimate value of sincere belief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small' (Sahih Bukhari 6464). Additionally, the principle is established in multiple hadiths that deeds without sincere intention (niyyah) are rejected, as in: 'Verily, deeds are judged by intentions' (Sahih Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that worldly success, wealth, and accomplishments are truly worthless without the foundation of sincere belief in Allah; believers should examine their intentions and ensure their actions are rooted in genuine faith, not mere habit, social conformity, or worldly ambition.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ ۚ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ
That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said, "Shall human beings guide us?" and disbelieved and turned away. And Allāh dispensed [with them]; and Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
تِلْكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآئِهَا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِمَا كَذَّبُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Those cities - We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], some of their news. And certainly did their messengers come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus does Allāh seal over the hearts of the disbelievers.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ وَٱلْعَنْهُمْ لَعْنًا كَبِيرًا
Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse."
وَإِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا شَيْـًٔا ٱتَّخَذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And when he knows anything of Our verses, he takes them in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.