Al-Israa 17:18 · The Night Journey · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"If anyone desires [only] the fleeting life, We speed up whatever We will in it, for whoever We wish; in the end We have prepared Hell for him in which to burn, disgraced and rejected."

Pickthall (classic)+

"Whoso desireth that (life) which hasteneth away, We hasten for him therein what We will for whom We please. And afterward We have appointed for him hell; he will endure the heat thereof, condemned, rejected."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them - such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected."

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

The Reward of Those who desire this World and Those who desire the Hereafter

Allah tells us that not everyone who desires this world and its luxuries gets what he wants. That is attained by those whom Allah wants to have it, and they get what He wills that they should get. This Ayah narrows down the general statements made in other Ayat. Allah says:

عَجَّلْنَا لَهُ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُ جَهَنَّمَ

(We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell) meaning, in the Hereafter,

يَصْلَـهَآ

(he will burn therein) means, he will enter it until it covers him on all sides,

مَذْمُومًا

(disgraced) means, blamed for his bad behaviour and evil deeds, because he chose the transient over the eternal,

مَّدْحُورًا

(rejected.) means, far away (from Allah's mercy), humiliated and put to shame.

وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الاٌّخِرَةَ

(And whoever desires the Hereafter) wanting the Hereafter and its blessings and delights,

وَسَعَى لَهَا سَعْيَهَا

(and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it) seeking it in the right way, which is following the Messenger .

وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ

(while he is a believer,) means, his heart has faith, i.e., he believes in the reward and punishment,

فَأُولَـئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا

(then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, (rewarded by Allah).)

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Если человек жаждет преходящей и тленной мирской жизни, трудится ради нее и стремится к ней, забывая о своем изначальном и конечном местопребывании, то Аллах облегчает ему обретение мирских благ. Аллах дарует каждому из таких людей столько, сколько пожелает, в строгом соответствии с предопределением, записанным в Хранимой скрижали. Однако эти блага не принесут таким людям пользы и недолго будут доставлять им удовольствие. И когда они попадут в Последнюю жизнь, то прикоснутся к наказанию в Преисподней, в которой они будут поверженными и презренными. Они будут опозорены перед Аллахом и перед творениями и будут лишены Его милости. Их достоянием станут одновременно наказание и позор.