Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:117 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah Aal-i-Imraan, Ayah 117
Arabic Text
مَثَلُ مَا يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ فِىۡ هٰذِهِ الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيۡحٍ فِيۡهَا صِرٌّ اَصَابَتۡ حَرۡثَ قَوۡمٍ ظَلَمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ فَاَهۡلَكَتۡهُؕ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ اللّٰهُ وَلٰـكِنۡ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُوۡنَ
Transliteration
Mathalu ma yunfiqoona fee hathihialhayati addunya kamathali reehinfeeha sirrun asabat hartha qawmin thalamooanfusahum faahlakat-hu wama thalamahumu Allahuwalakin anfusahum yathlimoon
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Ali 'Imran 3:117 presents a powerful parable about the futility of disbelievers' worldly spending: 'The example of what they spend in this worldly life is like a wind containing frost which strikes the harvest of a people who wronged themselves and destroys it. Allah wronged them not, but they wrong themselves.' According to classical Islamic scholarship, this verse follows the discussion about disbelievers whose wealth and children cannot save them, providing a vivid metaphor for their futile deeds. The 'sir' (frost wind) represents extreme cold that burns and destroys crops, as explained by scholars like Ibn Abbas and Mujahid - either bitter cold or fire, both having the same destructive effect on vegetation. The harvest ready for reaping symbolizes good deeds that appear beneficial but lack the foundation of faith. Classical tafsir emphasizes that the destruction comes not from Allah's injustice, but from the people's own wrongdoing through rejection of faith. This parable establishes that without the proper foundation of belief, all worldly spending and apparent good works become as worthless as a destroyed harvest, burned by the consequences of spiritual corruption.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 117 will be available soon.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Aal-i-Imraan Ayah 117
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What does the parable in Ali 'Imran 3:117 teach about disbelievers' spending?
The parable teaches that disbelievers' worldly spending, no matter how seemingly good, becomes completely futile without the foundation of faith. Just as a frost wind destroys a ready harvest instantly, disbelievers' deeds are rendered worthless because they lack the spiritual foundation necessary for divine acceptance. Their spending may appear beneficial in this world, but it provides no benefit in the afterlife.
❓What is the meaning of 'frost wind' (sir) in this verse?
According to classical scholars like Ibn Abbas, Ikrimah, and Al-Hasan, 'sir' means a frigid, extremely cold wind, often accompanied by snow. Some scholars also interpret it as fire, but this doesn't contradict the cold meaning because extreme cold, especially with snow, burns and destroys plants just like fire. The 'sir' represents any destructive force that completely ruins what appears to be flourishing and ready for harvest.
❓How do people wrong themselves according to this verse?
People wrong themselves by rejecting faith and choosing the path of disbelief, despite having the opportunity to believe. The verse emphasizes 'zalamu anfusahum' (they wronged themselves) to show that the destruction of their deeds is self-inflicted. They chose to build their actions on the foundation of disbelief rather than faith, making their own good works futile through their spiritual choices.
❓Why does Allah compare disbelievers' spending to a destroyed harvest?
The harvest metaphor is particularly powerful because it represents the culmination of long effort and investment - planting, tending, and waiting for the right time to reap benefits. Similarly, disbelievers may spend considerable effort and resources on seemingly good deeds. However, just as a frost wind destroys the harvest at the crucial moment of reaping, disbelievers' lack of faith destroys the spiritual value of their deeds when they need them most - in the afterlife.
❓What is the significance of the harvest being ready to reap?
The timing emphasizes the tragic nature of the loss - the harvest is destroyed precisely when it's most valuable and needed. This represents how disbelievers' deeds, which may have taken significant effort and resources, become worthless exactly when they would expect to benefit from them. The readiness for harvest symbolizes the completion of worldly efforts that should yield spiritual rewards, but instead yield nothing due to lack of faith.
❓How does this parable relate to divine justice?
The parable demonstrates that divine justice is perfect and not arbitrary. The verse explicitly states 'Allah wronged them not, but they wrong themselves,' showing that the futility of disbelievers' deeds results from their own choices, not from divine injustice. Allah has established clear principles - faith is the foundation for accepted deeds - and the consequences flow naturally from adherence to or violation of these principles.
❓What does 'Allah wronged them not' emphasize in this context?
This phrase emphasizes that the destruction of disbelievers' deeds is not due to divine caprice or unfairness, but results from natural spiritual laws that Allah has established. Just as a farmer who plants in unsuitable conditions cannot blame nature for crop failure, disbelievers cannot blame Allah for the futility of deeds built on the foundation of rejection of faith. The emphasis absolves Allah of any injustice while placing responsibility squarely on human choices.
❓How does this verse connect to the previous verses about disbelievers?
This verse provides a detailed explanation and vivid illustration of the previous verse's statement that disbelievers' wealth and children cannot help them against Allah. While verse 3:116 states the fact, verse 3:117 explains the spiritual principle through parable. It shows why material advantages fail disbelievers - because all their efforts, no matter how extensive, lack the proper foundation of faith, making them as vulnerable as crops to destructive winds.
❓What lesson does this parable teach about the relationship between faith and good deeds?
The parable teaches that faith is the essential foundation that gives meaning and permanence to good deeds. Without faith, even apparently beneficial actions become spiritually worthless. This doesn't mean good deeds by non-believers have no value in this world, but rather that they cannot provide salvation or spiritual benefit in the afterlife. Faith transforms ordinary actions into spiritually significant deeds that have lasting value.
❓How does the imagery of wind and harvest enhance the message of this verse?
The natural imagery makes the spiritual truth vivid and memorable. Wind represents forces beyond human control, while harvest represents the culmination of human effort and hope for future security. The sudden destruction mirrors how quickly and completely spiritual opportunities can be lost through wrong choices. The agricultural metaphor also resonates across cultures and times, making this universal principle accessible to all readers regardless of their background.
Translations & Commentary
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