Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allâh is Able to do everything.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَٱضْرِبْwa-iḍ'ribAnd present
لَهُمlahumto them
مَّثَلَmathalathe example
ٱلْحَيَوٰةِl-ḥayati(of) the life
ٱلدُّنْيَاl-dun'yā(of) the world
كَمَآءٍkamāinlike water
أَنزَلْنَـٰهُanzalnāhuwhich We send down
مِنَminafrom
ٱلسَّمَآءِl-samāithe sky
فَٱخْتَلَطَfa-ikh'talaṭathen mingles
بِهِۦbihiwith it
نَبَاتُnabātu(the) vegetation
ٱلْأَرْضِl-arḍi(of) the earth
فَأَصْبَحَfa-aṣbaḥathen becomes
هَشِيمًۭاhashīmandry stalks
تَذْرُوهُtadhrūhuit (is) scattered
ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ ۗl-riyāḥu(by) the winds
وَكَانَwakānaAnd Allah
ٱللَّهُl-lahuAnd Allah
عَلَىٰʿalāover
كُلِّkullievery
شَىْءٍۢshayinthing
مُّقْتَدِرًاmuq'tadiran(is) All Able
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 45){وَاضْرِبْلَهُمْمَّثَلَالْحَيٰوةِالدُّنْيَا … : ’’ هَشِيْمًا ‘‘} This {’’فَعِيْلٌ‘‘ } means {’’مَفْعُوْلٌ‘‘}, that is, shattered into pieces. {’’تَذْرُوْهُ‘‘ ’’ذَرَايَذْرُوْ‘‘} (n) means the blowing of winds. {’’ مُقْتَدِرًا ‘‘ ’’قَدَرَيَقْدِرُ‘‘} is the active participle from the form ifti‘āl, and with the addition of extra letters, the meaning is intensified, that is, fully capable. This is another example of the transience of the world, meaning the world is like that water which Allah Almighty sent down from the sky, with which plants grew from the earth, then they became so dense that, joining together, they presented a very beautiful scene, which made the farmer happy to see. Then that crop ripened and turned yellow, then it became so dry that it broke apart and was shattered. In the same way, the soul descended from the sky, joined with the body made from the earth, and man began to grow. After childhood, youth came in the blink of an eye, and parents rejoiced to see their young children. Then, after a short time, old age arrived. Now, it is inevitable that he will perish, just as if a ripe crop is given water or fertilizer, it is bound to become fragments; similarly, if an old person is given nourishing food or tonics, he is destined to go to the grave and turn into particles of dust. Then, many plants are uprooted as soon as they sprout, many green plants are cut at their prime, and if no accident occurs, they are cut at ripeness, or they themselves fall apart. In the same way, some people die in childhood, some in youth or middle age, and if this period passes safely, then after old age, the matter of staying here ends in every case. Allah Almighty has placed the “fa’ of sequence” between all the stages of life, that is, {’’ فَاخْتَلَطَ ‘‘} and {’’ فَاَصْبَحَ ‘‘}, meaning these stages come one after another rapidly. For verses of this meaning, see Yunus (24), Zumar (21), and Hadid (20).
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
45. 1. In this verse, the transience and impermanence of the world is clarified through the example of a crop, that when rain descends from the sky upon the plants and trees in the field, the crop flourishes with the water, and the plants and trees become fresh with new life. But then a time comes when the crop dries up. Due to the lack of water or because the crop has ripened, then the winds scatter it. A gust of wind sometimes bends it to the right and sometimes to the left. The life of this world is also like a gust of wind, or like the bubble of that water, or like the crop itself, which after displaying its brief spring, descends into annihilation. And all these changes are in the hands of that Being who is One and Powerful over everything. Allah Almighty has mentioned the example of the world in the Noble Quran in several places. (مثلًا (وَاللّٰهُيَدْعُوْٓااِلٰىدَارالسَّلٰمِ ۭ وَيَهْدِيْمَنْيَّشَاۗءُاِلٰىصِرَاطٍمُّسْتَــقِيْمٍ) 10. Yunus:25), (اَلَمْتَرَاَنَّاللّٰهَاَنْزَلَمِنَالسَّمَاۗءِمَاۗءًفَسَلَكَهٗيَنَابِيْعَفِيالْاَرْضِثُمَّيُخْرِجُبِهٖزَرْعًامُّخْتَلِفًااَلْوَانُهٗثُمَّيَهِيْجُفَتَرٰىهُمُصْفَرًّاثُمَّيَجْعَلُهٗحُطَامًا ۭ اِنَّفِيْذٰلِكَلَذِكْرٰىلِاُولِيالْاَلْبَابِ) 39. Az-Zumar:21) and other such verses.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
And present to them the example of the life of this world: it is like water We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, then it becomes dry stubble which the winds scatter. And Allah has full power [41] over everything.
[41] The Stages of Life: The Example of Worldly Life with Vegetation:
The example of worldly life is given with vegetation so that everyone can immediately understand it; otherwise, every living and non-living thing in this world, including vegetation, passes through these stages. When rain falls on the earth, vegetation grows, then it becomes large and lush. When it reaches its peak, it appears very pleasing to everyone. But after its rise, decline begins, and it starts to turn yellow. Now, even if this yellowed crop is watered as before, it will never regain its spring or greenness, because its period of decline has begun. Then the crop is harvested, and its final end is that the wind scatters its particles and fragments. The same is the case with man himself: he is born, then gradually youth comes to him, strength comes to him. At that time, he appears beautiful to everyone, and everything seems pleasant to him. But upon reaching a fixed limit, his height and strength, everything, stops. Then comes the time of old age, that is, the time of decline and deterioration. Now, even if he eats the best of foods, there will be no growth in him, nor will he be able to stop his decline, because Allah Almighty has set fixed measures for everything, and nothing can exceed them. In short, everything in this world is destined to decline; whatever has been created will surely perish. Therefore, one should never be arrogant about the wealth of this world or about this worldly life.
