مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ كَرَمَادٍ ٱشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلُ ٱلْبَعِيدُ 18
Translations
The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord is [that] their deeds are like ashes which the wind blows forcefully on a stormy day; they are unable [to keep] from what they earned a [single] thing. That is what is extreme error.
Transliteration
Mathalu alladhina kafaroo birabbihim a'maluhum karamadin ishtaddat bihi ar-rih fee yawmin aasif la yaqdirun mimma kasaboo ala shay dhalika huwa ad-dalalal ba'id
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful metaphor for the deeds of disbelievers, comparing them to ashes scattered by a violent wind—utterly powerless and worthless. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that despite the disbelievers' effort and acquisition of wealth and deeds in this world, they gain nothing from these actions on the Day of Judgment because their works are nullified by their rejection of Allah. Al-Qurtubi notes that this demonstrates the futility of all good deeds when they are not grounded in faith (Tawhid) and obedience to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan Surah Ibrahim, which emphasizes the consequences of disbelief and the ultimate failure of those who reject Allah's message. The surah contextually addresses the Quraysh's rejection of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and serves as a warning about the worthlessness of worldly achievements without divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), knowledge that benefits people, or a righteous child who prays for him' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This hadith illustrates the contrast—only certain deeds endure, while the deeds of the disbeliever are like scattered ash.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no amount of worldly effort, wealth, or apparent achievement has value without sincere faith in Allah—our spiritual foundation determines the eternal worth of our actions. Believers should focus on grounding all their endeavors in Tawhid and obedience to Allah, knowing that this alone gives their deeds lasting significance.
Related Ayahs
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ دَآئِبَيْنِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ
And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day.
فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلَهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ
So never think that Allāh will fail in His promise to His messengers. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.
قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Their messengers said to them, "We are only men like you, but Allāh confers favor upon whom He wills of His servants. It has never been for us to bring you evidence except by permission of Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِى وَمَا نُعْلِنُ ۗ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
Our Lord, indeed You know what we conceal and what we declare, and nothing is hidden from Allāh on the earth or in the heaven.