Al-Hadid 57:20
The Iron · ayah 20 of 29
IAAlamoo annama alhayatuaddunya laAAibun walahwun wazeenatun watafakhurunbaynakum watakathurun fee al-amwali wal-awladikamathali ghaythin aAAjaba alkuffara nabatuhuthumma yaheeju fatarahu musfarran thumma yakoonu hutamanwafee al-akhirati AAathabun shadeedun wamaghfiratunmina Allahi waridwanun wama alhayatuaddunya illa mataAAu alghuroor
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"Bear in mind that the present life is just a game, a diversion, an attraction, a cause of boasting among you, of rivalry in wealth and children. It is like plants that spring up after the rain: their growth at first delights the sowers, but then you see them wither away, turn yellow, and become stubble. There is terrible punishment in the next life as well as forgiveness and approval from God; the life of this world is only an illusory pleasure."
Pickthall (classic)+
"Know that the life of the world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?"