مَتَـٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ 117
Translations
[It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Mata'un qalilun wa lahum 'adhābun alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the temporary worldly gains that those who commit haram (forbidden) acts enjoy, which are fleeting and insignificant compared to the painful punishment awaiting them in the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this serves as a warning that any material benefit obtained through disobedience to Allah is worthless when weighed against eternal torment, and that the apparent comfort of sin is merely a deception that leads to destruction.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nahl's discussion of lawful and unlawful provisions (16:114-118). It specifically addresses those who attribute lies to Allah and consume forbidden sustenance, warning them that their temporary material satisfaction is trivial compared to the severe punishment they will face. The broader surah context emphasizes Allah's blessings and the importance of gratitude and obedience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world is sweet and green, and Allah will make you trustees over it. So He will see how you conduct yourselves.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) - emphasizing that worldly pleasures are temporary and accountability is eternal.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that any temporary material benefit gained through disobedience is worthless and will be far outweighed by eternal consequences; true gain lies in adherence to Allah's commandments and rejection of forbidden pursuits, regardless of immediate worldly loss.