أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ 24
Translations
Or is there for man whatever he wishes?
Transliteration
Am lil-insani ma tamanna
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rhetorically questions whether man receives everything he desires, implying the answer is emphatically 'no.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a rebuke to those who expect worldly wishes to be fulfilled without effort or divine will, and as a reminder that true fulfillment comes through submission to Allah's decree. The ayah serves as a corrective to human arrogance and unrealistic expectations about life's blessings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Najm, which emphasizes the reality of the Hereafter and Allah's complete knowledge and control over all affairs. It refutes the false beliefs of the Meccan polytheists who attributed daughters to Allah and denied the resurrection. The ayah challenges the wishful thinking of those who deny divine truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No one will enter Paradise except a soul, and no one will enter the Fire except a soul' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the hadith about the importance of patience in seeking what Allah has decreed reflects the spirit of this ayah in accepting Allah's will over our desires (Tirmidhi and others).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that wishful thinking and mere desires cannot change reality or divine law; success requires alignment with Allah's will and sincere effort. For modern readers, it serves as a humbling reminder to release unrealistic expectations and find peace through trust in Allah's wisdom rather than pursuing every fleeting desire.