فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ 84
Translations
So nothing availed them [from] what they used to earn.
Transliteration
Famā aghná ʿanhum mā kānū yaksibūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah conveys that the worldly wealth and possessions that the disbelievers accumulated could not benefit them or protect them from Allah's punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this in the context of the destroyed peoples mentioned in Surah Al-Hijr (such as 'Ad and Thamud), emphasizing that material riches are utterly worthless when facing divine retribution. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder that only righteous deeds and faith in Allah have lasting value.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Surah Al-Hijr, which recounts the destruction of ancient civilizations ('Ad, Thamud, Lot's people, and Pharaoh's followers) who rejected Allah's messengers. The ayah specifically concludes the discussion of these nations' fate, illustrating that despite their earthly prosperity and what they earned, nothing could save them from Allah's judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Sahih Al-Bukhari 4728). Additionally, the hadith about the three things that follow a person to the grave, with only good deeds benefiting them after death, relates thematically to this ayah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that accumulating wealth and material possessions without righteous faith and deeds provides no protection against divine consequence—only sincere obedience to Allah and good character have true, lasting value. For modern readers, it is a call to prioritize spiritual wealth and ethical living over the endless pursuit of material gain.
Related Ayahs
لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَٱخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [certain] categories of them [i.e., the disbelievers], and do not grieve over them. And lower your wing [i.e., show kindness] to the believers.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَثَانِى وَٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٱلْعَظِيمَ
And We have certainly given you, [O Muḥammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’ān.
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ
And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.
إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمْعَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌ مُّبِينٌ
Except one who steals a hearing and is pursued by a clear burning flame.