أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ 22
Translations
They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there will be no helpers.
Transliteration
Ulā'ika alladhīna ḥabiṭat a'māluhu fī ad-dunyā wa-al-ākhirah wa-mā lahum min nāṣirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who reject faith and commit heinous acts (referenced in the preceding verses about those who disbelieve and slay the prophets), whose deeds become nullified (ḥabiṭa) in both this world and the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that their good deeds are rendered worthless due to their kufr (disbelief), and they will have no helpers or protectors on the Day of Judgment. The ayah emphasizes that rejection of truth destroys the value of all actions, regardless of outward righteousness.
Revelation Context
This verse appears within the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and those who rejected Allah's signs. It follows verses condemning those who killed the prophets unjustly and follows the statement of their arrogance. The broader context addresses the consequences of rejecting divine guidance and persisting in disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever commits an act of disbelief while having knowledge of Islam, his deeds are nullified' (related theme in various works of tafsir). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the nullification of deeds: 'When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three...' which contrasts with those whose deeds are nullified while living.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true success is not measured by outward actions alone, but by sincere belief and submission to Allah—without which no deed has lasting value. For believers, it serves as a reminder to maintain firm faith, as disbelief ultimately renders all efforts futile in both worlds.
Related Ayahs
مِن قَبْلُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ ٱلْفُرْقَانَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ
Before, as guidance for the people. And He revealed the Criterion [i.e., the Qur’ān]. Indeed, those who disbelieve in the verses of Allāh will have a severe punishment, and Allāh is Exalted in Might, the Owner of Retribution.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you avert from the way of Allāh those who believe, seeking to make it [seem] deviant, while you are witnesses [to the truth]? And Allāh is not unaware of what you do."
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ أَضْعَـٰفًا مُّضَـٰعَفَةً ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allāh that you may be successful.