مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٍ فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتْ حَرْثَ قَوْمٍ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَأَهْلَكَتْهُ ۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ 117
Translations
The example of what they spend in this worldly life is like that of a wind containing frost which strikes the harvest of a people who have wronged themselves [i.e., sinned] and destroys it. And Allāh has not wronged them, but they wrong themselves.
Transliteration
Mathalu ma yunfiqoona fee hadhihi al-hayati al-dunya kamathal reehin feeha sirrun asabat hartha qawmin thalamu anfusahum fa-ahlakat hu, wa ma thalamahum Allahu wa lakin anfusahum yathlimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a parable comparing the charity and good deeds of those who disbelieve (or reject faith) to crops destroyed by a harsh, freezing wind—their efforts are rendered completely fruitless and meaningless. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that the 'sirr' (frost/biting cold) represents destruction, signifying that deeds performed without sincere faith in Allah are ultimately worthless in the Hereafter, even if they may appear beneficial in this worldly life. The ayah emphasizes that such people bear responsibility for their own ruin, as Allah does not wrong them but rather their own disbelief and rejection of truth causes their deeds to be nullified.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and the importance of sincere faith. It follows verses addressing hypocrites and those who perform outward good works while harboring disbelief inwardly. The broader thematic context concerns the futility of deeds disconnected from true belief in Allah and His oneness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Deeds are judged by intentions, and each person shall have what they intended' (Sahih Bukhari 1). This hadith complements the ayah by emphasizing that the acceptance of deeds depends fundamentally on sincere faith and proper intention, not merely outward action.
Themes
Key Lesson
All charitable and virtuous acts must be grounded in sincere faith in Allah; without genuine belief and proper intention, even outwardly good deeds become hollow and unrewarded in the sight of Allah. We are responsible for nurturing our faith and intentions, as Allah does not burden us unjustly but grants us the agency to choose the path of guidance or misguidance.
Related Ayahs
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَوا۟ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحْمَدُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا۟ فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.