أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ 115
Translations
Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?"
Transliteration
Afa-hasabtum annama khalaqnakum abathan wa-annakum ilayna la turja'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question rejecting the notion that Allah created humanity for no purpose (abathan - in vain/aimlessly), and emphasizes the certainty of returning to Him for judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as a fundamental refutation of atheistic and fatalistic worldviews, affirming that creation has divine purpose and ultimate accountability before Allah. The ayah establishes that our existence is meaningful only within the framework of our responsibility to Allah and our inevitable return to Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Mu'minun, which emphasizes core Islamic beliefs about Allah's oneness, the Hereafter, and accountability. It addresses the disbelievers of Mecca who denied resurrection and the Day of Judgment, making this ayah part of the broader Quranic argument against those who rejected the concept of an afterlife and divine reckoning.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character' (Sahih Bukhari 3331), connecting to the purpose of our creation - to worship Allah and develop virtue. Additionally, the hadith 'Remember frequently the destroyer of pleasures (death)' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2307) reinforces awareness of our return to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that life is not meaningless or accidental, but rather a deliberate test with eternal consequences, encouraging believers to align their actions with purpose and remain mindful of accountability before Allah. It serves as a powerful antidote to nihilism and purposelessness in modern society, grounding meaning in divine will and ultimate justice.