لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ ۚ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ 55
Translations
So they will deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.
Transliteration
Liyakfuroo bimaa aataynāhum fatamattaʿoo fasawfa taʿlamoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who use the blessings Allah has granted them as a means to disbelieve and turn away from Him, enjoying worldly pleasures in heedlessness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this describes the arrogant disbelievers who, despite receiving abundant provision, attribute their blessings to false gods or their own efforts rather than to Allah, and will ultimately face the consequence of their ingratitude on the Day of Judgment when they will come to know the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl, which was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh were rejecting the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) despite living in abundance. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the signs of Allah's creation and the ingratitude of those who deny Him despite His countless blessings. This specific ayah is part of a passage (16:53-56) condemning those who attribute their sustenance to idols rather than Allah.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3397) narrated by Abu Huraira records the Prophet saying: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most quarrelsome person,' which relates thematically to the arrogance and ingratitude described. Additionally, the hadith in Tirmidhi about ingratitude leading to loss of blessings aligns with the warning in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that all blessings come from Allah alone and should use them to strengthen faith and obedience rather than as tools for rebellion against Him. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder that temporary enjoyment of worldly pleasures without gratitude to Allah will ultimately result in severe consequences, encouraging constant mindfulness and gratitude in all circumstances.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], "We were not doing any evil." But, yes! Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what you used to do.
وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ
And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [i.e., hives], and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.