Surah Al-Hadid, Ayah 20
اعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَامًا ۖ وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ ۚ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and [His] pleasure. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
جان لو کہ دنیا کی زندگی صرف کھیل اور تماشا اور زینت اور آپس میں فخر اور مال اور اولاد میں کثرت کی ہوڑ ہے، جیسے بارش کی مثال جس کی پیداوار کاشتکاروں کو اچھی لگتی ہے، پھر وہ خشک ہو جاتی ہے اور تم اسے زرد دیکھتے ہو، پھر وہ ریزہ ریزہ ہو جاتی ہے۔ اور آخرت میں سخت عذاب ہے اور اللہ کی طرف سے بخشش اور خوشنودی ہے۔ اور دنیا کی زندگی دھوکے کا سامان کے سوا کچھ نہیں۔
Explanation
This verse provides a comprehensive analysis of worldly life, describing it as consisting of play, amusement, adornment, boasting, and competition in wealth and children. The beautiful metaphor of rain-nourished plants that grow, please farmers, then wither and become debris illustrates the temporary nature of worldly attractions. The verse contrasts this with the afterlife's permanent realities: severe punishment or Allah's forgiveness and pleasure. The conclusion that worldly life is "enjoyment of delusion" doesn't mean it's entirely worthless, but that treating it as the ultimate goal is delusional. This teaches that worldly pursuits, while natural, shouldn't become life's primary focus; that worldly success is temporary and can be deceptive; that the afterlife's permanent realities should guide our priorities; and that balance is needed between enjoying lawful worldly pleasures and preparing for the afterlife.
Context
This verse appears in Surah Al-Hadid (The Iron), providing perspective on worldly life's temporary nature compared to the permanent realities of the afterlife.