مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ ثَوَابُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا 134
Translations
Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allāh is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allāh Hearing and Seeing.
Transliteration
Man kāna yurīdu thawāba ad-dunyā fa'inda Allāhi thawābu ad-dunyā wa-al-ākhirah. Wa-kāna Allāhu samī'an baṣīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah teaches that whoever seeks the reward of this world alone should know that with Allah exists the reward of both this world and the Hereafter. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as an encouragement to orient one's intentions toward pleasing Allah, as doing so yields blessings in both realms, whereas seeking worldly gain alone forfeits eternal reward. The concluding phrase emphasizes that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing of intentions, stressing that sincere motivation matters greatly.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of social obligations, charity, and righteous conduct. It follows injunctions about spending and good deeds, reminding believers that their intentions determine their spiritual standing. The broader thematic context of this section addresses the proper motivation for charitable and virtuous acts.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: 'Actions are according to intentions, and every person will have what they intended' (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). Also relevant: 'Whoever performs a deed seeking Allah's pleasure and the Hereafter, Allah will grant him goodness in both worlds' (a principle supported throughout aḥādīth on intention).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should purify their intentions, seeking to please Allah rather than pursuing worldly gains alone; doing so paradoxically secures blessings in this life while guaranteeing eternal reward. This ayah invites reflection on whether our deeds are motivated by divine pleasure or material benefit.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ فِى ٱبْتِغَآءِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ۖ إِن تَكُونُوا۟ تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمُونَ ۖ وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرْجُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering - so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allāh that which they expect not. And Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allāh and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْجِبْتِ وَٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَهْدَىٰ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ سَبِيلًا
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in jibt [superstition] and ṭāghūt [false objects of worship] and say about the disbelievers, "These are better guided than the believers as to the way"?
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا
And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.