يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ 88
Translations
The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children
Transliteration
Yawma laa yanfa'u maalun wa laa banoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit to a person. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse is a profound reminder of the futility of worldly attachments and material possessions in the afterlife, where only righteous deeds and sincere faith will avail. The ayah serves as a warning against relying on temporary worldly means instead of preparing spiritually for the eternal life to come.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, a Meccan chapter primarily focused on the stories of prophets and warnings to the disbelievers of Mecca. The surah emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the consequences of rejecting Allah's messengers. This particular verse is part of a passage describing the conditions of the Day of Judgment, reinforcing the central Meccan theme of accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: a continuing charity, knowledge by which people benefit, and a righteous son who prays for him' (Sahih Muslim 1631) - showing that while children cannot save us on the Day of Judgment, righteous deeds are what truly benefit.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that worldly success measured by wealth and family should not be the ultimate concern; instead, one should prioritize spiritual preparation and righteous actions that will have lasting value on the Day of Judgment. It invites reflection on what truly matters in life and encourages Muslims to realign their priorities toward pleasing Allah rather than accumulating temporary possessions.