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
مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُوا۟ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allāh [while] witnessing against themselves with disbelief. [For] those, their deeds have become worthless, and in the Fire they will abide eternally.
ٱنفِرُوا۟ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allāh. That is better for you, if you only knew.
وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوْكَ لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ قُلْتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَلَّوا۟ وَّأَعْيُنُهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُوا۟ مَا يُنفِقُونَ
Nor [is there blame] upon those who, when they came to you for you to take them along, you said, "I can find nothing upon which to carry you." They turned back while their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allāh].
وَءَاخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَإِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And [there are] others deferred until the command of Allāh - whether He will punish them or whether He will forgive them. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.