مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُمَتَّعُونَ 207
Translations
They would not be availed by the enjoyment with which they were provided.
Transliteration
Mā aghná 'anhum mā kānū yumatta'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the worldly pleasures and material comforts that the disbelievers enjoyed during their lifetimes could not benefit or save them from Allah's punishment on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse highlights the futility of relying on temporal wealth and enjoyment when one neglects faith and righteousness, as these material possessions hold no value in the afterlife.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their peoples' rejection of divine guidance. The surah repeatedly illustrates how those who indulge in worldly pleasures while rejecting their messengers ultimately face destruction, establishing a pattern that culminates in this verse's affirmation of the worthlessness of such temporary enjoyments against eternal consequences.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever' (Sahih Muslim 2956). Additionally, this theme echoes the hadith: 'In the Day of Judgment, a person's feet will not move until they are questioned about their life and how they spent it' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2417).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that no amount of wealth, comfort, or worldly enjoyment can protect us from divine accountability; believers must prioritize spiritual wealth and obedience to Allah over material accumulation, as only righteous deeds and faith will benefit them in the eternal life.