ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ 15
Translations
Then he desires that I should add more.
Transliteration
Thumma yatma'u an azid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to a disbeliever who, after receiving blessings and wealth from Allah, desires even more worldly riches rather than turning to gratitude and faith. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this reflects human greed and ingratitude—the person hopes Allah will continue increasing their material wealth despite their rejection of faith, demonstrating the spiritual disease of endless desire disconnected from obedience to Allah.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Muddaththir addresses those who reject the message of the Prophet (ﷺ) despite clear signs. This ayah appears within a passage describing the arrogance and greed of a wealthy disbeliever (traditionally interpreted as referencing 'Utbah ibn Abi Lahab or similar figures), illustrating how wealth without faith becomes a means of spiritual destruction rather than blessing.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If the son of Adam had two valleys of gold, he would wish for a third.' (Sahih Bukhari 6437). This hadith directly mirrors the theme of endless desire critiqued in this ayah, showing how human nature inclines toward insatiable greed.
Themes
Key Lesson
True contentment and spiritual growth come not from accumulating more wealth, but from grateful recognition of Allah's blessings and sincere submission to His guidance—otherwise, even increasing riches become instruments of spiritual ruin.
Related Ayahs
عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ غَيْرُ يَسِيرٍ
For the disbelievers - not easy.
فَذَٰلِكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوْمٌ عَسِيرٌ
That Day will be a difficult day
وَكُنَّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
And we used to deny the Day of Recompense
وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً ۙ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا ۙ وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۙ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ
And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allāh intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allāh send astray whom He wills and guide whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And it [i.e., mention of the Fire] is not but a reminder to humanity.