Overview (Verses 103 - 106)

Deceptive Thoughts of Bad Action
 
The sūrah concludes with a few verses that bring together its many different lines of discussion in harmonious tone and rhythm. We have here three different aspects which, together, sum up the whole theme of the sūrah. The first of these revolves around values and standards as they are reflected in deviant societies and as they truly are. These relate to both actions and people. Say: ‘Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do? It is they whose labour in this world has been misguided, and who nonetheless think that what they do is right. It is they who have chosen to disbelieve in their Lord’s revelations and deny the truth that they will meet Him. Vain will be their works. No weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day.’ (Verses 103-105) “Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do?” (Verse 103) These are the ones whose loss cannot be exceeded by any human being in history. The answer to this question comes very quickly. “It is they whose labour in this world has been misguided.” (Verse 104) It did not lead them to follow any proper guidance. It did not yield any real fruit, nor did it achieve any objective. But these people “nonetheless think that what they do is right.” (Verse 104) This tells how misguided these people are. They have no inclination that whatever they do in this world takes them further into error and is thus completely wasted. Hence, they continue spending their whole lives in such vain pursuits.
 
Now the listeners are asked whether they want to know who these people are. The question heightens their curiosity, holding the attentions of everyone within hearing range. Then when everyone eagerly anticipates the information, the identity of these unrivalled losers is revealed: “It is they who have chosen to disbelieve in their Lord’s revelations and deny the truth that they will meet Him. Vain will be their works.” (Verse 105) The linguistic sense imparted by the Arabic term, habitat, describing their actions as ‘vain’ is derived from a very special case. It is that of an animal feeding on poisonous grass. Its belly is swollen before it dies. The same is the case with the actions of those who are misguided. They grow and seem fair and rewarding, but the fact is that they come to nothing whatsoever.
 
“No weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day.” (Verse 105) Thus they are shown to be worthless, having no value in the scale of true standards and principles. This is their condition ‘on Resurrection Day’. But they only have the requital they deserve. “That will be their reward, hell, for having rejected the faith, and made My revelations and My messengers a target of their mockery.” (Verse 106)

Overview (Verses 103 - 106)

Deceptive Thoughts of Bad Action
 
The sūrah concludes with a few verses that bring together its many different lines of discussion in harmonious tone and rhythm. We have here three different aspects which, together, sum up the whole theme of the sūrah. The first of these revolves around values and standards as they are reflected in deviant societies and as they truly are. These relate to both actions and people. Say: ‘Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do? It is they whose labour in this world has been misguided, and who nonetheless think that what they do is right. It is they who have chosen to disbelieve in their Lord’s revelations and deny the truth that they will meet Him. Vain will be their works. No weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day.’ (Verses 103-105) “Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do?” (Verse 103) These are the ones whose loss cannot be exceeded by any human being in history. The answer to this question comes very quickly. “It is they whose labour in this world has been misguided.” (Verse 104) It did not lead them to follow any proper guidance. It did not yield any real fruit, nor did it achieve any objective. But these people “nonetheless think that what they do is right.” (Verse 104) This tells how misguided these people are. They have no inclination that whatever they do in this world takes them further into error and is thus completely wasted. Hence, they continue spending their whole lives in such vain pursuits.
 
Now the listeners are asked whether they want to know who these people are. The question heightens their curiosity, holding the attentions of everyone within hearing range. Then when everyone eagerly anticipates the information, the identity of these unrivalled losers is revealed: “It is they who have chosen to disbelieve in their Lord’s revelations and deny the truth that they will meet Him. Vain will be their works.” (Verse 105) The linguistic sense imparted by the Arabic term, habitat, describing their actions as ‘vain’ is derived from a very special case. It is that of an animal feeding on poisonous grass. Its belly is swollen before it dies. The same is the case with the actions of those who are misguided. They grow and seem fair and rewarding, but the fact is that they come to nothing whatsoever.
 
“No weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day.” (Verse 105) Thus they are shown to be worthless, having no value in the scale of true standards and principles. This is their condition ‘on Resurrection Day’. But they only have the requital they deserve. “That will be their reward, hell, for having rejected the faith, and made My revelations and My messengers a target of their mockery.” (Verse 106)