Surah Al-Anbiya — Verse 13

Word Meanings:

• لَا تَرْكُضُوا (Lā Tarkuḍū): Do not flee or run away in haste.
• وَارْجِعُوا (Wa-irji‘ū): And return.
• مَا أُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيهِ (Mā Utriftum fīh): That which you were given of luxury, comfort, and abundant worldly pleasures.
• مَسَاكِنِكُمْ (Masākinikum): Your dwellings and homes.
• لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْأَلُونَ (La‘allakum Tus'alūn): Perhaps you will be asked (for something of your worldly goods) — said mockingly.

Explanation of the Verse:

When the punishment of Allah descends upon a people and they suddenly find themselves in the grip of destruction, their natural instinct is to flee in panic. But in this verse, we see a scene of bitter irony and divine mockery: as the disbelievers of a destroyed town try to escape the calamity, the angels call out to them with sarcasm, saying: "Do not run away! Return to your luxuries and your fine homes that you took such pride in! Perhaps you will be asked for something from your worldly comforts!"

This is not a genuine invitation, but a taunt — a painful reminder that all the wealth, pleasure, and security they once enjoyed could not protect them from the decree of Allah. Their palaces, their gardens, their lavish lifestyles — all of it became worthless in the face of divine punishment. The very things they relied upon became the source of their humiliation. They are told to go back to those comforts, as if to say: "See if they can save you now!"

The deeper lesson here is profound: worldly luxury and material abundance are not signs of Allah's pleasure, nor do they guarantee safety from His wrath. When a person becomes arrogant due to wealth and forgets the purpose of life — which is to worship Allah and live righteously — then those very blessings turn into evidence against them. The Qur'an repeatedly warns that nations before them were given even greater power and prosperity, yet when they rejected the truth, their wealth did not avail them in the least.

This verse also carries a powerful reminder for us today: we should not become so attached to our homes, our possessions, and our comforts that we forget the Hereafter. The one who builds a palace on earth but neglects the foundation of faith will find that palace turned into a prison of regret. But the one who builds a humble life of obedience to Allah, even in the simplest of dwellings, has secured a mansion in Paradise that never fades.

So, dear reader, let this verse awaken your heart. Do not be deceived by the glitter of this world, for it is fleeting and full of trials. The true success lies in turning back to Allah before the punishment comes — not when it is too late, and the angels mock us with the very things we loved. Take heed, and make your home a place of remembrance, your wealth a means of charity, and your life a journey toward the eternal pleasure of your Lord.