Surah Al-Qasas 28:77

سُورَةُ القَصَصِ · Meccan · Verse 77 of 88

وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

Translation

Seek the life to come by means of what God has granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for God does not love those who do this,’

English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

Meaning and reflection

Wisdom

This profound verse, initially a counsel to Qarun from his community, offers timeless wisdom for every believer. It lays out a balanced blueprint for living a meaningful life, reminding us that our worldly existence is a bridge to the Hereafter.

Aim for the Hereafter

The first command, `وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ` (And seek the Hereafter with what Allah has given to you), establishes our ultimate purpose. Whatever blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, be it wealth, health, time, skills, or status, are not merely for our personal enjoyment or accumulation. Instead, they are means to secure our eternal abode. As Imam al-Qurtubi explains, a believer's duty is to channel worldly possessions into what benefits them in the afterlife, not into arrogance or tyranny. Mufti Shafi elaborates that this includes utilizing life, wealth, health, and strength to gather good deeds that will serve us in the Hereafter.

Your Worldly Share

Following this, the verse gently balances the pursuit of the Hereafter with `وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا` (and do not neglect your share from this world). Scholars interpret "your share" in two main ways. Some, like Ibn Abbas, view it as the good deeds you do with your life and resources, making it a powerful reminder to not squander your lifespan without preparing for the next. Others, including Hasan and Qatadah, suggest it means not depriving yourself of lawful, permissible enjoyments and necessities of this life, things like food, drink, clothing, and family, without extravagance. This interpretation highlights Islam's emphasis on moderation, a point beautifully captured by Ibn Umar's saying: "Work for your worldly life as if you'll live forever, and work for your Hereafter as if you'll die tomorrow." Al-Munir calls this the "moderation of Islam," affirming that we are not asked to abandon everything but to find a balance where our worldly enjoyment does not compromise our faith or our ultimate destiny.

Do Good to Others

The instruction `وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ` (and do good as Allah has done good to you) then calls for active gratitude. Having received blessings from Allah, we are encouraged to extend goodness to His creation. This goes beyond mere charity; as al-Munir points out, it encompasses material aid, using our influence for good, showing kindness, having a pleasant demeanor, and maintaining a good reputation. It's a call to reflect Allah's benevolence in our interactions with the world.

Avoid Corruption

Finally, the verse sternly warns, `وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ` (and do not seek corruption in the land; indeed, Allah does not love the corruptors). This is a vital deterrent against the misuse of blessings for harm or wrongdoing. Corruption, in this context, extends beyond financial malfeasance to include arrogance, tyranny, disobeying Allah's commands, and engaging in anything that disrupts order or causes suffering. Allah's explicit declaration that He does not love the corrupters serves as a powerful reminder of the severe consequences for those who squander their blessings in destructive ways.

This verse offers us a complete pathway: strive for the eternal, enjoy the temporary in moderation, be a source of good, and avoid all forms of corruption. It is a profound lesson in balanced living, gratitude, and responsible stewardship of all that Allah has given us.

Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)

Topics that discuss this verse

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