The Holy Quran 57:20 — Surah Al-Hadid

Arabic text

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ

Translation

Know that the life of this world is merely play (sport), futility, decoration (superficial), boasting among each other and rivalry (competition) in wealth and children. The example of this is like rain which feeds the plants that amaze (makes happy) farmers. Thereafter, it dries and you will see it become yellow, only to be reduced to bits. (Similarly, the world seems attractive but will soon be reduced to worthless ruins.) (However, reality is) In the Aakhirah (where) there shall (either) be severe punishment (for the Kuffaar or), forgiveness and (Allaah's) pleasure (for the Mu'mineen). The life of this world is but a commodity of deception. (It deceives people into thinking that it is the be all and end all of their existence, thereby duping them into chasing after it at the expense of their Aakhirah.)

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The example of worldly life: at the start of life a person wants play, then amusement, then adornment and dressing up (and fashion), then building up reputation and gaining name and renown; then, when the days of death draw near, concern for wealth and children: that after me my household should stay established and my children live in comfort.

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.