مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ۚ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ 197
Translations
[It is but] a small enjoyment; then their [final] refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place.
Transliteration
Mata'un qalilun thumma ma'wahum jahhannam wa bi'sa al-mihad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that the worldly pleasures enjoyed by those who reject faith are merely temporary and insignificant, followed inevitably by their final abode in Hell—a terrible resting place. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi highlight this as a stark contrast between the fleeting nature of worldly indulgence and the eternal consequences of disbelief, serving as a powerful deterrent against prioritizing material gains over spiritual salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan context of Surah Ali 'Imran, which addresses the People of the Book and those who reject faith despite clear signs. It is part of a broader passage (3:196-200) warning against being deceived by the apparent prosperity of disbelievers in this world, reminding believers that such wealth and comfort are temporary distractions from the ultimate reality of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The worldly life compared to the Hereafter is like what one of you puts his finger in the ocean—let him see what returns with it' (Sahih Muslim 2858). Additionally, the hadith 'Every soul shall taste death' (Quran 3:185, corroborated in various hadith collections) reinforces the temporary nature of life.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should not be distracted or deceived by the apparent success and comfort of those who reject faith, recognizing that all worldly gains are temporary and insignificant compared to the eternal nature of the Hereafter. This ayah calls for conscious prioritization of spiritual development and obedience to Allah over the pursuit of fleeting material pleasures.