أَفَرَءَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَـٰهُمْ سِنِينَ 205
Translations
Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years
Transliteration
Afarayta in mattaʿnāhum sinīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question to the disbelievers of Mecca, asking them to consider: if We (Allah) were to grant them prolonged worldly provision and comfort for many years, would that necessarily prove the truthfulness of their false claims or the falsity of the Prophet's message? Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that this ayah highlights how material prosperity is not a sign of divine approval, and worldly extension of life and wealth should not deceive people into rejecting Allah's message. The verse underscores that temporal ease does not validate falsehood, nor does it negate the ultimate accountability before Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan surah primarily addressing the disbelievers' rejection of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. The broader context (verses 200-227) deals with Allah's patience with the disbelievers despite their rejection, and warns that prolonged respite does not mean exemption from eventual punishment.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said: 'The greatest sign of Allah's abandonment of a servant is that He grants him respite while he persists in transgression' relates thematically to the concept that worldly provision without guidance is not a blessing. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet emphasized that 'The best of you are those of my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Material wealth and prolonged life in this world should not be mistaken as validation of one's beliefs or path; rather, true success lies in faith and obedience to Allah's guidance. We must examine our priorities and not allow temporary worldly ease to distance us from spiritual truth and divine accountability.