لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمْ ۚ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ 55
Translations
So they will deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.
Transliteration
Liyakfuroo bimaa aataynāhum fatamattaʿoo fasawfa taʿlamoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to those who use the blessings Allah has granted them as a means to disbelieve and turn away from Him, enjoying worldly pleasures in heedlessness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this describes the arrogant disbelievers who, despite receiving abundant provision, attribute their blessings to false gods or their own efforts rather than to Allah, and will ultimately face the consequence of their ingratitude on the Day of Judgment when they will come to know the truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl, which was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh were rejecting the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) despite living in abundance. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the signs of Allah's creation and the ingratitude of those who deny Him despite His countless blessings. This specific ayah is part of a passage (16:53-56) condemning those who attribute their sustenance to idols rather than Allah.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3397) narrated by Abu Huraira records the Prophet saying: 'The most hated person to Allah is the most quarrelsome person,' which relates thematically to the arrogance and ingratitude described. Additionally, the hadith in Tirmidhi about ingratitude leading to loss of blessings aligns with the warning in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that all blessings come from Allah alone and should use them to strengthen faith and obedience rather than as tools for rebellion against Him. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder that temporary enjoyment of worldly pleasures without gratitude to Allah will ultimately result in severe consequences, encouraging constant mindfulness and gratitude in all circumstances.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۖ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ
And Allāh has said, "Do not take for yourselves two deities. He [i.e., Allāh] is but one God, so fear only Me."
أَمْوَٰتٌ غَيْرُ أَحْيَآءٍ ۖ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ
They are [in fact] dead, not alive, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected.
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves [i.e., their prophet]. And We will bring you, [O Muḥammad], as a witness over these [i.e., your nation]. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.