Surah Muhammad 47:8
سُورَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ · Medinan · Verse 8 of 38
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَتَعْسًۭا لَّهُمْ وَأَضَلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ
Translation
As for the disbelievers, how wretched will be their state! God has brought their deeds to nothing.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In Surah Muhammad, Allah distinguishes between the paths of believers and disbelievers, outlining the consequences of each. In verse 8, the focus turns sharply to those who reject faith, declaring their fate with powerful and unequivocal language.
The Declaration of Ruin
The verse opens with وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَتَعْسًۭا لَّهُمْ (And for those who disbelieve, ruin awaits them). The word تَعْسًا (ta'san) is particularly striking. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain that "ta'san" conveys deep misfortune, disgrace, stumbling, or outright destruction. It's often used as an imprecation, a forceful declaration of doom. Ibn Ashur highlights that this word signifies a downfall or collapse from which there is no recovery, contrasting it with "la'an" which implies rising after a stumble. Here, it is not merely a description but a divine pronouncement, carrying the weight of Allah's decree.
The grammatical structure of فَتَعْسًۭا لَّهُمْ (fa-ta'san lahum) is significant. It functions as a verbal noun (a word derived from a verb, like "ruin" from "to ruin") used in place of an active verb. This makes the statement incredibly potent, like saying "Ruin, specifically for them!" Al-Razi notes that this is presented as a declaration, rather than a mere promise, underscoring its certainty. It stands in stark opposition to the promise given to believers in an earlier verse: وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ (and make your feet firm), illustrating a clear contrast between stability for believers and inevitable collapse for disbelievers.
Deeds Led Astray
The verse continues وَأَضَلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ (and He will make their deeds go astray). The word أَضَلَّ (adalla) means to make something lost, to lead astray, or to render useless. Here, it signifies that any actions the disbelievers perform, even those they might consider good or beneficial, will ultimately yield no positive outcome for them in the eyes of Allah, especially in the Hereafter. Their efforts are misguided and will come to naught.
This phrase, as Ibn Ashur points out, recalls an earlier statement in the Surah, "الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَضَلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ" (those who disbelieve and avert from the way of Allah, He will make their deeds go astray). It is a repeated emphasis that their actions, because they are built upon disbelief and opposition to Allah's path, are fundamentally flawed and will not bear the fruit they desire. Al-Razi further notes the contrast with believers, whose deeds Allah "will not let go astray." This repetition and direct contrast underscore a fundamental truth: without faith in Allah and His message, human endeavors, regardless of their worldly appearance, are ultimately astray and unproductive in the ultimate ledger. The entire phrasing serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of choosing to disbelieve and reject Allah's revelation.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Qur'anic Worlds
This powerful verse, Surah 47, Ayah 8, speaks directly about those who disbelieve. It declares a severe consequence for them, coming directly from Allah, in contrast to the promises made to believers in earlier verses. It's a declaration of ruin and the nullification of their efforts.
Establishing the Plain Meaning
The verse begins with "وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟" (Wal-ladhīna kafarū), meaning "And those who disbelieve." The clear address here is to those who rejected Allah's message. For them, the verse states: "فَتَعْسًۭا لَّهُمْ" (fata'san lahum), which means "ruin awaits them," or "woe to them." Scholars like al-Baghawi explain this word "تعساً" (ta'san) as destruction, failure, misery, or stumbling. It’s a powerful, condemnatory term. Following this, the verse declares: "وَأَضَلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ" (wa adalla a'mālahum), meaning "and Allah will make their deeds go astray" or "He will nullify their deeds." This signifies that any good they may have done will lose its reward because of their fundamental disbelief.
A Time of Struggle
To truly appreciate this ayah, we place it within the World of Revelation. This surah, Surah Muhammad, was revealed in Madinah, a time when the early Muslim community was actively engaged in defending their faith and establishing the nascent Islamic state. It was a period of intense struggle and confrontation with disbelievers.
As Imam al-Razi highlights, this verse serves to strengthen the hearts of the believers. When they were hearing promises of steadfastness and Paradise for themselves (as in previous verses), this ayah came as a direct contrast, announcing the certain ruin and failure for their opponents. It was a reassurance that despite the challenges, Allah was with them, and against those who rejected His truth. The reason for the disbelievers' downfall, al-Razi explains, is that their deities were lifeless and powerless, incapable of offering them any support against Allah's decree.
The Meaning of Ruin
The concept of "تعساً" (ta'san) is profound. Ibn Kathir points out its opposite, the steadfastness promised to believers. This isn't just a physical stumble, but a complete failure in all aspects. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, himself used a similar phrase to warn against being overly attached to worldly possessions, saying, "Ruined is the slave of the dinar, ruined is the slave of the dirham," showing that "ruin" (تعس) represents a state of utter failure and spiritual downfall. For the disbelievers of that time, this meant spiritual and eventual worldly defeat. Their actions, though they might have seemed beneficial or powerful in this life, were ultimately futile in Allah's eyes.
Lessons for the Heart
For us today, this verse reminds us that true success and steadfastness come from aligning ourselves with Allah's will. It underscores that actions, however grand, lose their ultimate value if not rooted in belief in Allah. This declaration served as a mighty pillar of strength for the early Muslims, and it continues to be a reminder for us that Allah's promise to believers is sure, and His warning to disbelievers is equally certain. It invites us to humbly reflect on where our own actions are anchored, and to seek firmness in faith above all else.
Sources: al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Muhammad 47:8 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Muhammad 47:8 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.