وَلِبُيُوتِهِمْ أَبْوَٰبًا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيْهَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ 34
Translations
And for their houses - doors and couches [of silver] upon which to recline
Transliteration
Wa li-buyutihim abwaban wa surran alayha yattaki'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the luxuries and comforts that the wealthy disbelievers of Mecca possessed in this worldly life, specifically mentioning doors for their houses and couches/thrones upon which they reclined. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse is part of a broader passage (43:33-35) illustrating how Allah granted material wealth to those who rejected His message, yet this abundance did not lead them to faith. The ayah emphasizes that worldly possessions and ornaments are temporary distractions that often distance people from remembering Allah and the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam when the wealthy Meccan elite rejected the Prophet Muhammad's message. The broader context (verses 33-35) contrasts the temporary material blessings given to disbelievers with the eternal rewards promised to believers, addressing the believers' concerns about why the wealthy disbelievers seemed prosperous despite their rejection of faith.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The world is sweet and verdant, and Allah will make you successors in it to see how you will act' relates thematically to how worldly luxuries test faith. Additionally, the hadith about the believer's humble dwelling contrasts with this description of ornate houses.
Themes
Key Lesson
Worldly wealth and material comforts, while not inherently sinful, can become veils between humans and spiritual consciousness if pursued as ultimate goals. True success lies not in accumulating ornaments and luxuries, but in maintaining faith and consciousness of Allah regardless of one's material circumstances.