أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَـٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَٱنْهَارَ بِهِۦ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 109
Translations
Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allāh and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Transliteration
Afaman assasa bunyānahu 'alā taqwā min-Allāhi wa-ridwānin khayrun am man assasa bunyānahu 'alā shafā jurufin hārin fa-inharaba bihi fī nāri jahannam; wa-Allāhu lā yahdī al-qawma az-zālimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful metaphorical contrast between two types of people: those who build their faith and actions upon taqwā (piety) and seeking Allah's pleasure, and those who build upon a crumbling brink that collapses, plunging them into Hellfire. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret 'building' as establishing one's faith, deeds, and character, emphasizing that only a foundation rooted in God-consciousness can withstand the trials of life. The ayah concludes that Allah does not guide those who persist in wrongdoing, linking spiritual ruin to divine abandonment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tawbah, a Medinan chapter dealing with repentance, faith, and the distinction between sincere believers and hypocrites. The immediate context addresses the hypocrisy of those who built the Mosque of Dirar as a rival to the Mosque of Qubā' with false intentions, making this ayah a general principle that extends beyond that specific incident to all human undertakings and spiritual foundations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, authenticated). Additionally, the hadith 'Taqwā is here' (pointing to the chest three times) emphasizes that true piety is an internal foundation that governs external actions (Sunan Ibn Majah and others).
Themes
Key Lesson
Building a meaningful life—whether spiritual, moral, or social—requires a foundation rooted in God-consciousness and sincere intention; without this inner taqwā, external actions and accomplishments inevitably collapse. This ayah urges believers to examine their intentions and ensure their foundational beliefs and values align with Divine truth rather than worldly desires or social pretense.
Related Ayahs
وَيُذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And remove the fury in their [i.e., the believers'] hearts. And Allāh turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
كَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنكُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرَ أَمْوَٰلًا وَأَوْلَـٰدًا فَٱسْتَمْتَعُوا۟ بِخَلَـٰقِهِمْ فَٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِخَلَـٰقِكُمْ كَمَا ٱسْتَمْتَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُم بِخَلَـٰقِهِمْ وَخُضْتُمْ كَٱلَّذِى خَاضُوٓا۟ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ
[You disbelievers are] like those before you; they were stronger than you in power and more abundant in wealth and children. They enjoyed their portion [of worldly enjoyment], and you have enjoyed your portion as those before you enjoyed their portion, and you have engaged [in vanities] like that in which they engaged. [It is] those whose deeds have become worthless in this world and in the Hereafter, and it is they who are the losers.
لَوْ يَجِدُونَ مَلْجَـًٔا أَوْ مَغَـٰرَٰتٍ أَوْ مُدَّخَلًا لَّوَلَّوْا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَهُمْ يَجْمَحُونَ
If they could find a refuge or some caves or any place to enter [and hide], they would turn to it while they run heedlessly.
لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيرَةٍ ۙ وَيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ ۙ إِذْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُم مُّدْبِرِينَ
Allāh has already given you victory in many regions and [even] on the day of Ḥunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth was confining for you with [i.e., in spite of] its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.