وَتَذَرُونَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ 21
Translations
And leave [i.e., neglect] the Hereafter.
Transliteration
wa-tatadhruun al-akhirah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, part of a rhetorical question condemning human negligence, means 'and you abandon the Hereafter.' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, it reproaches people for their preoccupation with worldly affairs while neglecting preparation for the afterlife and obedience to Allah's commands. The ayah emphasizes humanity's tendency to prioritize immediate, temporal concerns over eternal consequences, reflecting a fundamental spiritual blindness that leads to moral and spiritual decline.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qiyamah, a Meccan surah that focuses on the reality of the Day of Resurrection and humanity's denial of it. The broader context addresses those who reject the resurrection and divine accountability, emphasizing that despite clear signs and warnings, people continue to neglect their ultimate purpose and the life to come. The surah challenges the disbelievers' complacency regarding the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'No one among you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' emphasizing the importance of focused faith and commitment. Additionally, the hadith 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi) contrasts worldly preoccupations with purposeful living.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder to examine our priorities and ensure that the pursuit of worldly success does not eclipse our preparation for eternal life through faith, good deeds, and remembrance of Allah. Modern readers should reflect on how daily distractions and material concerns can subtly cause us to neglect our spiritual obligations and the ultimate purpose of existence.