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
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغْرَمًا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَآئِرَ ۚ عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And among the bedouins are some who consider what they spend as a loss and await for you turns of misfortune. Upon them will be a misfortune of evil. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَـٰتٍ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَصَلَوَٰتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌ لَّهُمْ ۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allāh and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allāh will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
ٱلتَّـٰٓئِبُونَ ٱلْعَـٰبِدُونَ ٱلْحَـٰمِدُونَ ٱلسَّـٰٓئِحُونَ ٱلرَّٰكِعُونَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدُونَ ٱلْـَٔامِرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱلنَّاهُونَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
[Such believers are] the repentant, the worshippers, the praisers [of Allāh], the travelers [for His cause], those who bow and prostrate [in prayer], those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and those who observe the limits [set by] Allāh. And give good tidings to the believers.
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.