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
ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.
لَّقَدْ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوْلَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ فَقِيرٌ وَنَحْنُ أَغْنِيَآءُ ۘ سَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَالُوا۟ وَقَتْلَهُمُ ٱلْأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَنَقُولُ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Allāh has certainly heard the statement of those [Jews] who said, "Indeed, Allāh is poor, while we are rich." We will record what they said and their killing of the prophets without right and will say, "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.