ٱلَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا 104
Translations
[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work."
Transliteration
Alladhīna ḍalla saʿyuhum fī al-ḥayāh ad-dunyā wa-hum yaḥsabūn annahum yuḥsinūn ṣunʿā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those whose deeds and efforts in worldly life have gone astray and become nullified, yet they remain deluded in thinking they are doing good work. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this describes people engaged in futile actions devoid of righteous intention or Islamic guidance—their works are wasted because they lack faith in Allah and adherence to His revelation. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this applies particularly to disbelievers whose efforts, however outwardly impressive, are rendered void without the foundation of Tawhīd (monotheism).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Al-Kahf, within a section discussing the reality of worldly life and the deception it presents. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the themes of trial, temptation, and the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits, serving as a reminder that true success lies in righteous deeds done with proper faith and intention.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, actions are judged by intentions, and for every person is what he intended' (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1907). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who have the best manners and character' relates to the necessity of sincere conduct (At-Tirmidhī 3895).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that external accomplishments and good appearances mean nothing without genuine faith in Allah and sincere intention in our actions. Believers must regularly examine their intentions and ensure their efforts are grounded in submission to Allah's guidance, not mere worldly ambition or self-deception.
Related Ayahs
قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise].
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَىٰهُ لَآ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰٓ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِىَ حُقُبًا
And [mention] when Moses said to his boy [i.e., servant], "I will not cease [traveling] until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period."
وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ سُنَّةُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ قُبُلًا
And nothing has prevented the people from believing when guidance came to them and from asking forgiveness of their Lord except that there [must] befall them the [accustomed] precedent of the former peoples or that the punishment should come [directly] before them.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَآئِهِۦ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَزْنًا
Those are the ones who disbelieve in the verses of their Lord and in [their] meeting Him, so their deeds have become worthless; and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any weight [i.e., importance].