ٱلَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا 104
Translations
[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work."
Transliteration
Alladhīna ḍalla saʿyuhum fī al-ḥayāh ad-dunyā wa-hum yaḥsabūn annahum yuḥsinūn ṣunʿā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those whose deeds and efforts in worldly life have gone astray and become nullified, yet they remain deluded in thinking they are doing good work. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this describes people engaged in futile actions devoid of righteous intention or Islamic guidance—their works are wasted because they lack faith in Allah and adherence to His revelation. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this applies particularly to disbelievers whose efforts, however outwardly impressive, are rendered void without the foundation of Tawhīd (monotheism).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Al-Kahf, within a section discussing the reality of worldly life and the deception it presents. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the themes of trial, temptation, and the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits, serving as a reminder that true success lies in righteous deeds done with proper faith and intention.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, actions are judged by intentions, and for every person is what he intended' (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1907). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who have the best manners and character' relates to the necessity of sincere conduct (At-Tirmidhī 3895).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that external accomplishments and good appearances mean nothing without genuine faith in Allah and sincere intention in our actions. Believers must regularly examine their intentions and ensure their efforts are grounded in submission to Allah's guidance, not mere worldly ambition or self-deception.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ كَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمْ فِى غِطَآءٍ عَن ذِكْرِى وَكَانُوا۟ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَمْعًا
Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.
وَإِذِ ٱعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ فَأْوُۥٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا
[The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allāh, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility."
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًۢا بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَآءً ظَـٰهِرًا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًا
They [i.e., people] will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone."
وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ ۖ وَكَلْبُهُم بَـٰسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِٱلْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.