وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّىٓ أَحَدًا 42
Translations
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone."
Transliteration
Wa-uhita bithmarih fa-asbaha yuqalliba kaffayh ala ma anfaqa fiha wa-hiya khawiyatun ala uruushiha wa-yaqolu ya-laytani lam ushrik bi-rabbi ahada
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the wealthy man's crops being destroyed overnight, causing him to wring his hands in despair over the wealth he spent on cultivating them, while the gardens lie in ruins with their trellises collapsed. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this represents Allah's swift punishment for shirk (associating partners with Allah), as the man had attributed his wealth solely to his own efforts and intellect rather than acknowledging Allah's blessing. The man's regretful statement—"Would that I had not ascribed partners to my Lord"—marks his recognition of his grave spiritual error too late.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the two men in Surah Al-Kahf (18:32-44), revealed in Mecca to emphasize the consequences of arrogance, ingratitude, and shirk. The entire passage serves as a reminder to believers about the impermanence of worldly wealth and the importance of gratitude and monotheistic devotion.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46, which immediately follows this ayah). Also relevant is the hadith: 'Whoever attributes his provision to other than Allah is ungrateful' (Tirmidhi, thematically related).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that material success should never breed arrogance or cause us to forget Allah's role in our blessings, and that true regret over shirk comes only when it is too late to change our deeds. For modern readers, it serves as a sobering reminder to practice gratitude, acknowledge Allah's sovereignty in all matters, and avoid the trap of self-reliance that denies His ultimate control.