مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ ثَوَابُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا 134
Translations
Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allāh is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allāh Hearing and Seeing.
Transliteration
Man kāna yurīdu thawāba ad-dunyā fa'inda Allāhi thawābu ad-dunyā wa-al-ākhirah. Wa-kāna Allāhu samī'an baṣīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that whoever seeks the reward of this world alone should know that with Allah exists the reward of both this world and the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as an encouragement to orient one's intentions toward pleasing Allah, as doing so yields blessings in both realms, whereas seeking worldly gain alone forfeits eternal reward. The concluding phrase emphasizes that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing of intentions, stressing that sincere motivation matters greatly.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of social obligations, charity, and righteous conduct. It follows injunctions about spending and good deeds, reminding believers that their intentions determine their spiritual standing. The broader thematic context of this section addresses the proper motivation for charitable and virtuous acts.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Actions are according to intentions, and every person will have what they intended' (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). Also relevant: 'Whoever performs a deed seeking Allah's pleasure and the Hereafter, Allah will grant him goodness in both worlds' (a principle supported throughout aḥādīth on intention).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should purify their intentions, seeking to please Allah rather than pursuing worldly gains alone; doing so paradoxically secures blessings in this life while guaranteeing eternal reward. This ayah invites reflection on whether our deeds are motivated by divine pleasure or material benefit.
Related Ayahs
لَّيْسَ بِأَمَانِيِّكُمْ وَلَآ أَمَانِىِّ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا يُجْزَ بِهِۦ وَلَا يَجِدْ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
It [i.e., Paradise] is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allāh a protector or a helper.
وَمَاذَا عَلَيْهِمْ لَوْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمْ عَلِيمًا
And what [harm would come] upon them if they believed in Allāh and the Last Day and spent out of what Allāh provided for them? And Allāh is ever, about them, Knowing.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّحِيطًا
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And ever is Allāh, of all things, encompassing.
مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا
Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share [i.e., reward] therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a portion [i.e., burden] therefrom. And ever is Allāh, over all things, a Keeper.