مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ كَرَمَادٍ ٱشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلُ ٱلْبَعِيدُ 18
Translations
The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord is [that] their deeds are like ashes which the wind blows forcefully on a stormy day; they are unable [to keep] from what they earned a [single] thing. That is what is extreme error.
Transliteration
Mathalu alladhina kafaroo birabbihim a'maluhum karamadin ishtaddat bihi ar-rih fee yawmin aasif la yaqdirun mimma kasaboo ala shay dhalika huwa ad-dalalal ba'id
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful metaphor for the deeds of disbelievers, comparing them to ashes scattered by a violent wind—utterly powerless and worthless. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that despite the disbelievers' effort and acquisition of wealth and deeds in this world, they gain nothing from these actions on the Day of Judgment because their works are nullified by their rejection of Allah. Al-Qurtubi notes that this demonstrates the futility of all good deeds when they are not grounded in faith (Tawhid) and obedience to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan Surah Ibrahim, which emphasizes the consequences of disbelief and the ultimate failure of those who reject Allah's message. The surah contextually addresses the Quraysh's rejection of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and serves as a warning about the worthlessness of worldly achievements without divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), knowledge that benefits people, or a righteous child who prays for him' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This hadith illustrates the contrast—only certain deeds endure, while the deeds of the disbeliever are like scattered ash.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no amount of worldly effort, wealth, or apparent achievement has value without sincere faith in Allah—our spiritual foundation determines the eternal worth of our actions. Believers should focus on grounding all their endeavors in Tawhid and obedience to Allah, knowing that this alone gives their deeds lasting significance.
Related Ayahs
مِّن وَرَآئِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ وَيُسْقَىٰ مِن مَّآءٍ صَدِيدٍ
Before him is Hell, and he will be given a drink of purulent water.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِىَ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرَ
It is Allāh who created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain from the sky and produced thereby some fruits as provision for you and subjected for you the ships to sail through the sea by His command and subjected for you the rivers.
وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ
And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor [i.e., blessings] of Allāh, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.
وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَىٰنَا سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَلَنَصْبِرَنَّ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاذَيْتُمُونَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And why should we not rely upon Allāh while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allāh let those who would rely [indeed] rely."