O’ Man! Know that the life of this world is only amusement, adornment, boasting and competition

For many, life is only about merry making, adornment, amusement and competition to overtake others to be on the top. Most of our youth is spent in a carefree high pitched environment. Such life style robs man from his sense of direction,  away from remembering our Creator, by following the Satanic pied piper. But the reality is that though the life looks full and attractive at first, but no one at the height of ecstasy, in a state of elated bliss and noise of laughter realizes that life is constantly fading. In fact every passing day in amusement is taking us close to an end when scales will be set to judge our worldly life and those who spent their lives only in merrymaking will know on that day how they badly harmed them.

Al Qur'an warns such merry makers of the day of reckoning and advises them to follow a path of blessings and rewards in a life of the Hereafter rather than being thrown into the blazing fire of hell. One such verses is the 20th verse of Surah Al-Ḥadīd, the 57th Surah / Chapter of Al Qur'an, being shared today. This verse talks of the transience of worldly life and verse emphasizes that worldly life is temporary and fleeting, similar to crops that grow and then dry up.

Surah Al-Ḥadīd (57:20)

“Know that the life of this world is only play, amusement, adornment, boasting among yourselves, and competition in wealth and children. Like the example of rain whose growth pleases the farmers; then it dries and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure. And the life of this world is nothing but a deceiving enjoyment.”

Context of the Verse in the Surah

Surah Al-Ḥadīd generally addresses faith vs. hypocrisy, detachment from dunya (worldliness) and encouragement to spend in the path of Allah (57:10–18)

Then right after motivating believers to give charity, sacrifice for higher causes, the 20th verse comes as a reality check to warn the believers not to get attached to the world you’re being asked to give from. It reframes dunya so believers can act with clarity and detach emotionally while engaging responsibly

Breakdown of the Verse (Layer by Layer)

In this verse, Allah describes worldly life in five stages—this is deeply psychological:

• Play (لَعِبٌ – laʿib)
• Play is associated with childhood - a state when life feels like games, fun, no responsibility
• This is exactly like the life of endless entertainment, gaming, scrolling, distraction culture.
• Amusement (لَهْوٌ – lahw)
• This is the teenage/young adult phase in which youth pursue for pleasure and excitement.
• Today we find men obsessed with trends, engrossed in social media attractions and dopamine-driven habits.
• Adornment (زِينَةٌ – zīnah)
• This is more applicable to women whose sole focus is on their appearance, beauty and exposing lifestyle.
• Today we see an exhibitionist environment projecting image culture, Fashion, luxury, and curated online personas
• Boasting (تَفَاخُرٌ – tafākhur) Comparing status with others has become a fashion of the day. Most of us compare our possessions and status with others and get into a race so as to boast of our superior edge over the others. It is a boastful culture that creeps to show “Look at my success” culture to socially validate our status and prestige.
• Competition (تَكَاثُرٌ – takāthur)
• The more one gets into a projectionist life style, the more one is prone to accumulate wealth and assets to add to their self and family pride.
• Today we witness an increase in the race for elevated career, net worth obsession and setting material benchmarks of success.

The Parable of Rain (Powerful Imagery)

The second part of the verse relates life by giving a striking metaphor: "Like the example of rain whose growth pleases the farmers; then it dries and you see it turn yellow; then it becomes debris."

This metaphor aligns it with the Dunya (worldly life) which at first looks attractive, promising and full of life - But it also shows that every galore is temporary and it inevitably declines and disappears. This metaphor does not exhibit pessimism - but plain realism and true reality of the worldly life.

The Real Contrast

After describing dunya, Allah shifts perspective: “In the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure…”

This means life is not meaningless—it is a bridge (between this world and the life of the Hereafter) and a test with consequences. This points towards Accountability (punishment) and Mercy and success (forgiveness and pleasure)

Scholarly Explanation

• One of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi is of the opinion that to understand this theme fully one should keep the following verses of the Qur'an in mind: Imran; 14- 15, Yunus: 24-25, Ibrahim: 18, AI-Kahf: 45-46, An-Nur: 39. In all those verses the truth that has been impressed on the mind is: The life of this world is a temporary life: its spring as well as its autumn is temporary, Them is much here to allure man. but this, in fact, consists of base and insignificant things which man because of his shallowness of mind regards as great and splendid and is deluded into thinking that in attaining them lies supreme success, The truth however is that the highest benefits and means of pleasure and enjoyment that one can possibly attain in the world, arc indeed bast and insignificant and confined to a few years of temporary life, and can be destroyed by just one turn of fate. Contrary to this, the lift hereafter is a splendid and eternal life: its benefits are great and permanent and its losses too are great and permanent. The one who attains Allah's forgiveness and His goodwill there, will indeed have attained the everlasting bliss beside which the whole wealth of the world and its kingdom become pale and insignificant. And the one who is seized in God's torment there, will come to know that he had made a bad bargain even if he had attained all that he regarded as great and splendid in the world. 
• The 14th century exegete Ibn Kathir describes the life of this world:
• As a temporary, deceptive distraction (amusement, adorning, boasting) that vanishes quickly, comparing it to rain-fed vegetation that flourishes and then withers into dry chaff. The verse emphasizes that true reality is in the hereafter, offering either severe punishment or forgiveness.
• Key Takeaways from Ibn Kathir on 57:20:
• Synonyms of Worldly Life: Ibn Kathir defines the worldly life through five stages of pursuit: amusement, diversion, decoration, boasting among yourselves, and competition in wealth and children.
• The Parable of Rain: The verse uses the analogy of rain causing crops to grow. The green vegetation pleases the farmers, but quickly turns yellow, dries, and scatters as dust (or chaff).
• Significance of the Parable: Ibn Kathir explains that this illustrates the transience of life: youth and strength are followed by old age and decay, ultimately ending in death.
• The Two Destinies: The verse concludes by stating that in the Hereafter, there is either a "severe punishment" or "forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure," reinforcing that this life is merely a "deluding enjoyment".
• Purpose of the Parable: The purpose is to remind believers not to be deceived by the superficial beauty and temporary pleasures of the world, encouraging focus on the afterlife.

Applicability Today (Very Powerful)

This verse almost reads like a description of modern life:

• Social Media Culture  where:
• Play is entertainment
• Adornment is curated lifestyles
• Boasting is posting achievements
• Competition is followers, wealth, status
• Consumerism  We have endless desire for more wealth, better lifestyle and elevated status. This exhibits the stark naked reality of never-ending dissatisfaction. This race keeps us running after the mirage all along our lives, not leaving even an iota of satisfaction and contentment.
• Identity Crisis Almost  everyone defines himself with top career positions, wealth and an image of him better than everyone else. It is for them that is verse says: "That is not your true worth."
• Mental Health Insight For those chasing the mirage of this Dunya, Anxiety, Comparison, and Emptiness is the end product. Because we are always chasing something designed to fade.

What the Verse is NOT Saying

It is NOT saying  to leave the world completely, reject success, family, or wealth - Rather it encourages a believer to Use dunya - but don’t be used by it, Stay engaged - but not attached

Practical Takeaways

• Enjoy life—but don’t be deceived by it
• Work hard—but don’t define yourself by results
• Compete—but in good deeds (khayr)

Remember: Everything you see will fade - What you send forward (ākhirah) remains. Thus this verse gives a lens to see reality clearly to know that life is like a beautiful season that will pass and Don’t mistake the season for the destination. It doesn’t tell you to abandon life—it teaches you How to live in the world without losing your soul to it.

An effort has been made to expand this verse with meaningful insertions and explanation. More can be added to it by deeper reflection of this verse to steer life to the guided path as described in Al Qur'an and disassociate ourselves from the galore and glitter of our present life - for a restraint today will turn into an eternal blessing for us in the life of the Hereafter.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Foresight in preparation of coming events - even Death

Wise men always take adequate preparations for the forthcoming events and to be well prepared for weather changes and projected life of his children, and even for himself for he is to grow old one day, get retired and live the rest of the life on a paltry pension or social security remittances.

For example, one starts to take out winter clothing when the blowing air outside becomes cooler than what has been days before. While coming home, he makes sure he has bought adequate provisions for the entire family which could serve as a sort of mini reservoir when it would not be easy to go out in blowing blizzards and falling snow.

He also starts buying clothes and feeding arrangements and which is not yet born. He also starts toset aside some sum of money required for child birth hospital charges and miscellaneous expenses. and as the newly born starts to grow, he continues to set aside more money required for education and clothes that are always getting shorter day by day.

A wise man also checks up the oil and fuel levels, air pressure and battery condition of the car before embarking upon a journey. He also updates himself with the weather forecast en route, the travelling conditions, traffic blocks and related unforeseen things. He doesn't forget to keep a first aid box, an umbrella and wind cheaters in case one is caught in traffic jam with falling rain.

In fact, wise men remain well prepared for all events of their lives so that they are not caught ill prepared.

Yet there is one thing no one is ever prepared for: Death, which may befall any moment of our lives. One cannot wait to die when he is in 70s, for death may come even for a newly born, a youngster, an aspiring young man and a thriving businessman. And if someone tries to remind us of our death, we shrug away the warning for we think it is too early to start preparing for one's death.

The life insurance agents often tell their experiences of selling their life insurance policies and contend that in majority of cases people do not feel comfortable when they talk of remaining life span of an intended customer. Reasons why death is scary can be related to fears of the unknown, of non-existence, of eternal punishment, of the loss of control, or fear of what will happen to the people we love.

Yet, despite all precautions to stay health, avoiding accidents as far one can, death, remains hard fact and the greatest reality of our lives. No one has ever been able to evade it and one day we all, when our turn comes up, will be taken to a freshly dug grave, buried, and in some cases forgotten forever. 

It is said in Qur'an, Surah 62 Al Jum'uah, verse 8:

قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡمَوۡتَ الَّذِىۡ تَفِرُّوۡنَ مِنۡهُ فَاِنَّهٗ مُلٰقِيۡكُمۡ​ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّوۡنَ اِلٰى عٰلِمِ الۡغَيۡبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمۡ بِمَا كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ 

Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do."

Eminent Muslim scholar Yusuf Ali while explaining the meaning of the above quoted verse, notes that before Allah's Judgment-Seat, when Judgment is established, we shall see the full inwardness of all deeds in this world. The veil of illusion and delusion will be torn off. All our secret motives will be laid bare. The results of all our little plots and plans and their reactions on our eternal welfare will be clearly visible to us. All make-believe will disappear.

So, while we continue to manage our lives, let us prepare for our final ending. As Muslim believers, we must cling strongly to the rope of Allah, avoid all sorts of Satanic machination and enticements, while doing and speaking good always. Never hurting anyone, apologizing much too often so that we do not leave behind a heart that we have injured either by our tongues or actions. 

Therefore, while we make shopping lists, let us make a check list for our ensuing death. Some of the Must Do things should include:

• Nominating a Next of Kin (NOK) and keep him informed where all documents of one's property (ies) / bank accounts and everything which will be needed by our heirs in case of our death
• Although, in Islam, writing wills is not necessary as Qur'an explicitly lists down details of disposal of property of of the deceased.  However, in countries, where a will is mandatory by the laws of the land, then a will must be created. 
• Every effort be made to pay one's debts while living. However, the details of debts must be written down and known to the NOK. For debt of a dead has to be paid by the deceased family before the burial, unless waived off by the person to whom money is owed. 
• If someone want to give away part of one's fortune in charity, it should better be done in one's life time to act as Sadqa e Jaria (the recurring charity the reward of which will continue to added in one's balance till the world comes to an end).
• A handsome money to be set aside required for medical bills required in case of emergency and funeral arrangement charges, if doesn't want to burden his remaining family.
• These arrangements must be revisited often to update these.

Today, we share an incredible explanation of preparing for one's death.  Please watch the video:

Let us not be afraid of death for it will come one day and no one knows when that day be. So be prepared for it and make your arrangements well and well in time.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | 

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Reality of Life - Scholar's Viewpoint

Life is the most beautiful word that we ever hear. The first cry of a newly born not only brings life to another being on the earth, but it also injects joy and a new spirit on the faces of parents and near and dear ones. even the new crop when it first surfaces from below the earth, is an indicative of life and it continues to grow till it is harvested. each day of its growth beings smiles on the faces of the farmers for their hard work is finally been repaid by the Nature.

We look around people making merry, laughing, chatting, enjoying at the beeches or parks, restaurants and even at homes surrounded by one's families. For many this is the Life, laughing and smiling. 

But this not the reality of life! We see only one side of the life which is fun. But we seldom ponder over the other side: People carrying the dead to the grave , leaving behind wailing and lamenting women and children. Suddenly, all fun is gone, or stops temporarily as someone near and dear one departs. And then a few days after, life returns to normal for no one wants to talk of death or even think of it.

We try to become ostriches to hide ourselves form the death talking, the actual reality of life, with whom escapes none.   All living beings whether humans, animals, birds and insects, have to cease to exist - that is The Reality of Life.

كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيۡنَا تُرۡجَعُونَ

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned. (Surah An Kabut [The Spider] verse 57)

Thus, the first reality of life is Death which will be tasted by every living organism. No one has ever escaped death since the beginning of life, that since the descent of Adam and Eve and continues till the Doomsday, Yaum al Qiyama. So far the only exception has been Prophet Eesa (Jesus, may peace be upon him), who was raised alive. However, he will come back in some point in time in future, live a wholesome life and then meet his natural death eventually.

Despite knowing the reality, none seems to remember death nor wants to be apprised of it. That is the reason, we see men and women enjoying their lives to their fullest, loud music, dancing, eating more than needed, with complete disregard to the sufferings of people who cannot afford even a drop of clean water or a morsel of food. This is because they not only remember death, but also shun the reality of returning to their Creator for final balance sheet checking - this is the second reality of life.

But before death, there is another test that man has to under take as mentioned in QUr'an:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةًۭ ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ 

Every soul will taste death. And We test you ˹O humanity˺ with good and evil as a trial, then to Us you will ˹all˺ be returned.(21. Surah Al-Anbya [The Prophets] ver4se 35)

That is while a man is living, the life is not easy going for every human being is tested by the Nature by putting him on trials of good and evil, money or no money, honour and dishonors, easy living and hardships, and so on a long list of tests and trials when has to undergo. It is these tests and trials, which will decide the future life of everyone when one dies and returns to one's Creator, as mentioned earlier.

And yet, the third reality is the Day of the Judgement, when every man who was ever born will be paraded in front of Allah, our Creator and the Master of the Day of Judgment. It will be fateful day when one's visa either of Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell) will be issued. And from then on, the ultimate reality will unfold, much to the surprise of many, specially the atheists, who think life ends as one dies and the body withers away forever.

We are sharing a very informative lecture by Dr Israr Ahmad, which only our readers who understand Urdu will be able to understand. However, the crux of the lecture has already been shared above:

Dr Israr Ahmad: Israr Ahmad (Urdu: اسرار احمد; 26 April 1932 – 14 April 2010), was a Pakistani Islamic scholar, orator and theologian. He developed a following in South Asia but also among some South Asian Muslims in the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America. He has written around 60 books on Islam and Pakistan, of which twenty nine have been translated into several other languages, including in English, as of 2017. [Read more about Dr Israr Ahmad from Wikipedia]

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More