لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 57
Translations
Never think that the disbelievers are causing failure [to Allāh] upon the earth. Their refuge will be the Fire - and how wretched the destination.
Transliteration
La tahsabanna alladhina kafaroo mu'jizina fil-ard. Wa ma'waahum an-nar. Wa labi'sa al-masir.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah warns believers not to be deceived by the apparent power and prosperity of disbelievers in this world, as their ultimate destination is the Fire of Hell. Ibn Kathir explains that 'mu'jizin' (those who escape/defeat) refers to those who think they can evade Allah's punishment through their worldly strength and influence. The ayah emphasizes that earthly success is temporary and meaningless without faith, and that the final return to Allah is the true measure of success or failure.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nur (The Light), a Medinan surah that addresses various aspects of Islamic law and morality. It occurs in a context discussing the consequences of disbelief and rejection of Allah's signs. The broader theme of the surah emphasizes divine guidance versus misguidance, making this warning particularly significant for believers facing opposition from those with material power.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The world is cursed, and all that is in it is cursed, except the remembrance of Allah and that which pleases Allah' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2322). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim reminds believers that the Day of Judgment is the true measure of success, not worldly dominance.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not be impressed or intimidated by the material success and apparent power of those who reject Allah's message, understanding that true success lies in obedience to Allah and that ultimate judgment belongs only to Him. This ayah encourages steadfastness in faith despite worldly pressures and reminds us that lasting victory comes not from earthly dominance but from standing with truth and righteousness.