وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا 35
Translations
And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever.
Transliteration
Wa dakhal jannatahu wa huwa zalimun li nafsihi qala ma azhunnu an tabida hadhihi abada
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the arrogant owner of the two gardens entering his garden while being unjust to himself through his disbelief and arrogance, declaring that he does not think this garden will ever perish or be destroyed. Ibn Kathir explains that the man's statement reflects his denial of resurrection and his false confidence in the permanence of worldly possessions, exemplifying the spiritual blindness of those who attribute their wealth solely to their own efforts and deny Allah's dominion. Al-Qurtubi notes that the phrase 'zalimun li nafsihi' (unjust to himself) emphasizes how disbelief and ingratitude constitute the greatest injustice one can commit against one's own soul.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the two gardens (Ayat 32-44), a Meccan revelation that illustrates the contrast between a believer and a disbeliever in their relationship with wealth and divine blessings. The story serves as a warning to the Quraysh about the dangers of arrogance and disbelief, addressing their rejection of the Message despite Allah's abundant provision.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sahih Muslim 2963). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895) relates to proper stewardship of blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that material possessions are temporary trusts from Allah, not permanent achievements earned through our efforts alone, and that attributing success solely to ourselves while denying God constitutes the gravest form of self-harm. True security and wisdom lie in recognizing Allah's sovereignty over all creation and maintaining gratitude for His blessings.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلْعِزَّةُ بِٱلْإِثْمِ ۚ فَحَسْبُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ
And when it is said to him, "Fear Allāh," pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَعْرِفُونَهُۥ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it].
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَفَرْتُم بِهِۦ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ مِثْلِهِۦ فَـَٔامَنَ وَٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Say, "Have you considered: if it [i.e., the Qur’ān] was from Allāh, and you disbelieved in it while a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to something similar and believed while you were arrogant...?" Indeed, Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ عَنْهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَٰبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلْجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلْخِيَاطِ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle [i.e., never]. And thus do We recompense the criminals.