أَفَمَن وَعَدْنَـٰهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَـٰقِيهِ كَمَن مَّتَّعْنَـٰهُ مَتَـٰعَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ 61
Translations
Then is he whom We have promised a good promise which he will meet [i.e., obtain] like he for whom We provided enjoyment of worldly life [but] then he is, on the Day of Resurrection, among those presented [for punishment in Hell]?
Transliteration
Afaman wa'adnahu wa'dan hasanan fahuwa laqihi kaman matta'ahu mata'a al-hayati ad-dunya thumma huwa yawma al-qiyamati mina al-muhdharin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical question contrasting two conditions: one who has been promised a good promise (Paradise) which he will surely meet, versus one who has been given temporary enjoyment of worldly life and will then be among those presented (for punishment) on the Day of Judgment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this comparison emphasizes the incomparability of the believer's promise of eternal reward with the disbeliever's temporary worldly pleasures followed by eternal torment, highlighting the futility of choosing worldly gratification over obedience to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qasas, which recounts stories of various prophets and emphasizes divine justice and reward. The broader context of this passage (ayaat 60-64) contrasts the fates of believers and disbelievers, addressing the polytheists of Mecca who prioritized worldly wealth and status over faith. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the believers faced persecution and the wealthy Quraysh enjoyed material prosperity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The example of this life compared to the afterlife is like a person putting his finger in the ocean—let him see what returns with him' (Al-Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'This world compared to the Hereafter is like what one of you puts in the ocean from his hand' (Sahih Muslim 2858).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not be deceived by temporary worldly success or wealth, recognizing that the promise of Paradise is incomparably superior to fleeting material pleasures. This ayah encourages prioritizing eternal spiritual rewards over the temporary enjoyment of this world, as ultimate accountability awaits all on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنْ عِندِهِۦ وَمَن تَكُونُ لَهُۥ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلدَّارِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
And Moses said, "My Lord is more knowing [than we or you] of who has come with guidance from Him and to whom will be succession in the home. Indeed, wrongdoers do not succeed."
وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
But seek, through that which Allāh has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allāh has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allāh does not like corrupters."
فَجَآءَتْهُ إِحْدَىٰهُمَا تَمْشِى عَلَى ٱسْتِحْيَآءٍ قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِى يَدْعُوكَ لِيَجْزِيَكَ أَجْرَ مَا سَقَيْتَ لَنَا ۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ نَجَوْتَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."