يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ 38
Translations
O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allāh, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ma lakum idha qila lakum infiru fi sabili Allah itthaaqaltum ila al-ard. Aradhaytum bi al-hayati ad-dunya min al-akhirah. Fama mata al-hayati ad-dunya fi al-akhirah illa qalil.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes the believers who showed reluctance and hesitation when called to perform jihad (striving in the way of Allah), becoming heavily attached to worldly life. The Qur'an challenges their preference for the fleeting pleasures of this world over the eternal rewards of the Hereafter, emphasizing that worldly enjoyment is minimal and insignificant compared to eternal life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this as a strong reproach against those who prioritize comfort and material possessions over their religious obligations.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period, likely in the 9th year of Hijrah, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) called Muslims to join the expedition to Tabuk against the Byzantine forces. Some believers made excuses and showed reluctance due to the hardship of travel, heat, and fear—circumstances that prompted this divine rebuke addressing the root cause of their hesitation: excessive attachment to worldly life.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet said, 'Whoever dies without having fought or prepared himself to fight has died upon a branch of hypocrisy.' Additionally, the hadith in Sunan An-Nasa'i emphasizes that abandoning jihad without valid excuse is a sign of weakness in faith and love of this world.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should examine their hearts to identify areas where worldly attachments prevent them from fulfilling their religious duties and obligations. The Qur'an reminds us that true success lies in prioritizing eternal consequences over temporary comforts, and that every call to obedience from Allah deserves immediate, wholehearted response.