أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ 22
Translations
They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there will be no helpers.
Transliteration
Ulā'ika alladhīna ḥabiṭat a'māluhu fī ad-dunyā wa-al-ākhirah wa-mā lahum min nāṣirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who reject faith and commit heinous acts (referenced in the preceding verses about those who disbelieve and slay the prophets), whose deeds become nullified (ḥabiṭa) in both this world and the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that their good deeds are rendered worthless due to their kufr (disbelief), and they will have no helpers or protectors on the Day of Judgment. The ayah emphasizes that rejection of truth destroys the value of all actions, regardless of outward righteousness.
Revelation Context
This verse appears within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and those who rejected Allah's signs. It follows verses condemning those who killed the prophets unjustly and follows the statement of their arrogance. The broader context addresses the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and persisting in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever commits an act of disbelief while having knowledge of Islam, his deeds are nullified' (related theme in various works of tafsir). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the nullification of deeds: 'When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three...' which contrasts with those whose deeds are nullified while living.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true success is not measured by outward actions alone, but by sincere belief and submission to Allah—without which no deed has lasting value. For believers, it serves as a reminder to maintain firm faith, as disbelief ultimately renders all efforts futile in both worlds.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ جَآءُو بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُنِيرِ
Then if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَا خَلَـٰقَ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allāh and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allāh will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلْكَـٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Who spend [in the cause of Allāh] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allāh loves the doers of good;
وَلَئِن قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ لَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحْمَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].