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
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَـٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh provides for whom He wills without account."
وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا۟ وَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.
وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤْتَىٰٓ أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمْ أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And do not trust except those who follow your religion." Say, "Indeed, the [true] guidance is the guidance of Allāh. [Do you fear] lest someone be given [knowledge] like you were given or that they would [thereby] argue with you before your Lord?" Say, "Indeed, [all] bounty is in the hand of Allāh - He grants it to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Wise."