مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ 15
Translations
Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived.
Transliteration
Man kāna yurīdu al-ḥayāta ad-dunyā wa zīnatahā nuwaffī ilayhim aʿmālahum fīhā wa hum fīhā lā yubkhasonūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that whoever seeks only the worldly life and its adornments will have their deeds fulfilled in this world without any diminishment, but they will receive no reward in the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a warning against making the dunya the ultimate goal, as such people's deeds—though materially rewarded—are void of spiritual merit and eternal consequence. The ayah contrasts with the next verse (11:16) which describes those who work for the Hereafter and receive both worldly blessings and eternal reward.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Hud, a Meccan chapter revealed during a period when the Quraysh were focused on worldly pursuits and rejected the message of the Hereafter. The context addresses the priorities of those who deny resurrection and the Day of Judgment, emphasizing that preoccupation with dunya alone leads to spiritual loss despite material gain.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The dunya is cursed, and all that is in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah and what helps toward it' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever makes the dunya his goal, Allah will scatter his affairs' (Sunan Ibn Majah) reflects the theme of this ayah's warning.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that pursuing worldly success without regard for the Hereafter is spiritually hollow—one may gain temporary material satisfaction but loses eternal reward. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to examine their intentions: are they working for genuine purpose beyond material accumulation, and do their actions serve both worldly well-being and spiritual growth?
Related Ayahs
وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبْنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ
And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!"
۞ وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُوا۟ ٱلْمِكْيَالَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ ۚ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰكُم بِخَيْرٍ وَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ
And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shuʿayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.
مِن دُونِهِۦ ۖ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ
Other than Him. So plot against me all together; then do not give me respite.
۞ وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ ۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ
And to Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive."