يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَهُۥ 3
Translations
He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.
Transliteration
Yahsabu anna malahu akhlodah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the deluded wealthy person who believes that his wealth will make him immortal or grant him eternal life and protection from death and accountability. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as the arrogant rich person's false assumption that material possessions can shield him from the inevitable reality of death and the Day of Judgment. The ayah emphasizes the futility of relying on worldly wealth as a means of salvation or permanence in this temporary life.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Humazah, a Meccan surah that condemns the destructive character of backbiting and the spiritual disease of materialism among the wealthy disbelievers of Mecca. The surah uses the example of the arrogant rich person to illustrate how wealth can corrupt one's heart and lead to denial of the Hereafter. This ayah specifically addresses the deception that wealth brings security and eternity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895), emphasizing that true honor lies not in wealth but in character. Additionally, the hadith 'Wealth and children are adornments of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46, reflected in various hadith collections) relates to the transient nature of material possessions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no amount of wealth can grant immortality or protection from accountability before Allah, reminding believers that material possessions are temporary and should not be the focus of one's life. The lesson encourages detachment from material obsession and redirection of one's trust and hope toward Allah alone, who truly grants security and eternal well-being.