Surah 40:36
Show Full Scripture Context (40:36-40) — 5 Verses
وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ يَٰهَٰمَٰنُ ٱبۡنِ لِي صَرۡحٗا لَّعَلِّيٓ أَبۡلُغُ ٱلۡأَسۡبَٰبَ
Pharaoh said, ‘Haman! Build a tower for me, so that I may reach the ropes,
أَسۡبَٰبَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُۥ كَٰذِبٗاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرۡعَوۡنَ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَصُدَّ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۚ وَمَا كَيۡدُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٖ
the ropes of the heavens, and look upon the god of Moses. Surely I think he is a liar indeed.’ In this way the evil of his deed was made to appear enticing to Pharaoh, and he was kept from the way. But the plot of Pharaoh only (came) to ruin.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِيٓ ءَامَنَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱتَّبِعُونِ أَهۡدِكُمۡ سَبِيلَ ٱلرَّشَادِ
Certainly the one who believed said, ‘My people! Follow me, and I shall guide you to the right way.
يَٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَتَٰعٞ وَإِنَّ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ ٱلۡقَرَارِ
My people! Surely this present life is enjoyment, but surely the Hereafter – it is the permanent Home.
مَنۡ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةٗ فَلَا يُجۡزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثۡلَهَاۖ وَمَنۡ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ يُرۡزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ
Whoever does an evil deed will only be repaid the equal of it, but whoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female – and is a believer – those will enter the Garden, where they will be provided for without reckoning.
This believer said to his people who persisted in their rebellion and transgression, and preferred the life of this world: {O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct.} This is in contrast to the false claim of Fir'awn: {and I guide you only to the path of right policy.} Then he sought to make them shun this world which they preferred to the Hereafter, and which had prevented them from believing in the Messenger of Allah, Musa, peace be upon him. He said: {O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but an enjoyment,} meaning, it is insignificant and fleeting, and soon it will diminish and pass away. {and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.} means, the abode which will never end and from which there will be no departure, which will be either Paradise or Hell. Allah says: {Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof;} means, one like it. {and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein without limit.} means, the reward cannot be enumerated, but Allah will give an immense reward without end. And Allah is the Guide to the straight path.
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Page 477-478)