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 approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
جان لو کہ دنیا کی زندگی صرف کھیل اور تماشا اور زینت اور تمہارے درمیان فخر اور مال اور اولاد میں کثرت کی طلب ہے۔ اس کی مثال بارش کی سی ہے جس کی پیداوار کسانوں 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 مغفرت اور خوشنودی ہے۔ اور دنیا کی زندگی دھوکے کا سامان کے سوا کچھ نہیں۔
Reflection
This verse provides a comprehensive analysis of worldly life, describing it through five characteristics: play, amusement, adornment, boasting, and competition in wealth and children. The beautiful metaphor of rain and plant growth illustrates the temporary nature of worldly attractions - they appear beautiful and impressive but eventually wither and become debris. The verse contrasts this temporary life with the eternal realities of the afterlife: severe punishment for those who are deceived by worldly life, and forgiveness and pleasure from Allah for those who see beyond the illusion. This teaching doesn't condemn enjoying life's blessings but warns against being deceived into thinking they are the ultimate purpose of existence.
Context
This verse appears in Surah Al-Hadid (Iron), which discusses the balance between worldly life and preparation for the afterlife. It provides perspective on the temporary nature of worldly attractions compared to eternal realities.