وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا ۚ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ 60
Translations
And whatever thing you [people] have been given - it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allāh is better and more lasting; so will you not use reason?
Transliteration
Wa mā ūtītum min shay'in fa matā'u al-hayāti ad-dunyā wa zīnatuhā. Wa mā 'inda Allāhi khayrun wa abqā. Afalā ta'qilūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that all worldly possessions and luxuries are temporary enjoyments and adornments of this life, while what is with Allah—meaning His reward, paradise, and eternal blessings—is far superior and everlasting. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a call to recognize the fleeting nature of material wealth and to prioritize the eternal rewards of the Hereafter over worldly acquisitions. The ayah concludes with a rhetorical question appealing to human reason and intellect ('aql) to discern what truly matters.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qasas is Meccan and deals with divine stories and guidance. This ayah fits within the broader theme of the surah which contrasts the temporary nature of worldly power and wealth (exemplified through the story of Pharaoh and his treasures) with the eternal nature of Allah's provisions and the Hereafter. It serves as a universal reminder applicable to all believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world is cursed, and cursed is whatever is in it, except the remembrance of Allah and what is associated with it, and a scholar and a student of knowledge' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim emphasizes: 'The life of this world compared to the Hereafter is like putting your finger in the ocean—see what it takes out.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate a balanced perspective that acknowledges worldly provisions as temporary means while directing their deepest aspirations toward eternal rewards with Allah. This ayah invites reflection on what deserves our priority and investment of time, energy, and resources—ultimately calling us to use our intellect to distinguish between temporary pleasures and enduring spiritual wealth.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ ۚ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ يُؤْتِكُمْ أُجُورَكُمْ وَلَا يَسْـَٔلْكُمْ أَمْوَٰلَكُمْ
[This] worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allāh, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your properties.
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allāh and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
فَكَانَتْ هَبَآءً مُّنۢبَثًّا
And become dust dispersing,
وَمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.