مَتَـٰعٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ 70
Translations
[For them is brief] enjoyment in this world; then to Us is their return; then We will make them taste the severe punishment because they used to disbelieve.
Transliteration
Matāʿun fī ad-dunyā thumma ilaynā marjiʿuhum thumma nudhīquhum al-ʿadhāb ash-shadīd bimā kānū yakfurūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the temporary nature of worldly enjoyment for those who disbelieve, emphasizing that their ultimate return is to Allah where they will taste severe punishment for their rejection of faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this verse underscores the illusion of security the disbelievers have in this world, contrasting the brief pleasures (matāʿ) of dunya with the eternal consequences of disbelief in the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Yunus (a Meccan chapter), which was revealed during the early Meccan period when the Prophet Muhammad faced significant opposition from Quraysh. The broader context addresses the reality that those who reject the Message enjoy temporary worldly benefits, yet ultimate accountability awaits them before Allah—a reassuring message for believers facing persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The worldly life compared to the Hereafter is like one of you putting his finger in the ocean—let him see what returns with it' (Sahih Muslim 2858). This hadith reinforces the ayah's concept of worldly enjoyment being negligible compared to the eternal consequences.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers not to be deceived by the apparent success and comfort of those who reject faith, as true success is measured by the Hereafter where accountability is certain. It provides spiritual solace during trials, reassuring that injustice in this world will be rectified on the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
وَأَنْ أَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
And [commanded], 'Direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth, and never be of those who associate others with Allāh;
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ ءَايَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَغَـٰفِلُونَ
So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless.
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the wise Book.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيْكُم بِوَكِيلٍ
Say, "O mankind, the truth has come to you from your Lord, so whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever goes astray only goes astray [in violation] against it. And I am not over you a manager."