أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَٱنْهَارَ بِهِۦ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 109
Translations
Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allāh and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Transliteration
Afaman assasa bunyānahu 'alā taqwā min-Allāhi wa-ridwānin khayrun am man assasa bunyānahu 'alā shafā jurufin hārin fa-inharaba bihi fī nāri jahannam; wa-Allāhu lā yahdī al-qawma az-zālimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful metaphorical contrast between two types of people: those who build their faith and actions upon taqwā (piety) and seeking Allah's pleasure, and those who build upon a crumbling brink that collapses, plunging them into Hellfire. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret 'building' as establishing one's faith, deeds, and character, emphasizing that only a foundation rooted in God-consciousness can withstand the trials of life. The ayah concludes that Allah does not guide those who persist in wrongdoing, linking spiritual ruin to divine abandonment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tawbah, a Medinan chapter dealing with repentance, faith, and the distinction between sincere believers and hypocrites. The immediate context addresses the hypocrisy of those who built the Mosque of Dirar as a rival to the Mosque of Qubā' with false intentions, making this ayah a general principle that extends beyond that specific incident to all human undertakings and spiritual foundations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, authenticated). Additionally, the hadith 'Taqwā is here' (pointing to the chest three times) emphasizes that true piety is an internal foundation that governs external actions (Sunan Ibn Majah and others).
Themes
Key Lesson
Building a meaningful life—whether spiritual, moral, or social—requires a foundation rooted in God-consciousness and sincere intention; without this inner taqwā, external actions and accomplishments inevitably collapse. This ayah urges believers to examine their intentions and ensure their foundational beliefs and values align with Divine truth rather than worldly desires or social pretense.
Related Ayahs
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخْلَفُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ
So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him - because they failed Allāh in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.
لَا يَزَالُ بُنْيَـٰنُهُمُ ٱلَّذِى بَنَوْا۟ رِيبَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَّآ أَن تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Their building which they built will not cease to be a [cause of] skepticism in their hearts until their hearts are cut [i.e., stopped]. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَـٰهِدِ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.
كَيْفَ يَكُونُ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ عَهْدٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتُّمْ عِندَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ فَمَا ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوا۟ لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allāh and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].