وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا 36
Translations
And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."
Transliteration
Wa mā aẓunnu as-sāʿata qāʾimatan wa-laʾin rudidtu ilā rabbī la-ajidanna khayran minhā munqalabā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the arrogant statement of one of the two men in the parable of the two gardens (mentioned in 18:32-44), who denies the resurrection and expresses confidence that even if he returns to Allah, he will find a better state than his current worldly wealth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this reflects the disbeliever's rejection of the Hereafter and his false assumption that material wealth is superior to spiritual reward. The ayah serves as a powerful critique of those who prioritize worldly possessions over faith and the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the parable of the two men with gardens (18:32-44), a Meccan passage addressing polytheists and disbelievers who rejected belief in the Hereafter and relied solely on their worldly riches. The context illustrates how wealth can lead to spiritual arrogance and denial of divine accountability, serving as a warning to the early Muslim community facing similar arguments from the Meccan elite.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (ﷺ) warned against being deceived by worldly wealth, stating 'Wealth and children are the adornment of this life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (18:46). Also relevant is Sahih Bukhari's hadith on the love of this world being the root of all evil.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that wealth and material success are fleeting distractions that can corrupt the soul if not paired with faith and gratitude to Allah; true security lies in preparing for the Hereafter through righteous deeds rather than trusting in temporary worldly possessions.