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Introduction: The Temporary Glitter
In every era, we observe a painful paradox: those who reject faith or live in open defiance of Allah’s commands often seem to thrive. They indulge in every pleasure, amass wealth through exploitation, and spread corruption (fasad) on earth without immediate consequence. For the believer, this can be a test of patience and understanding.
The Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah provide a piercing clarification. Allah does not overlook this reality; rather, He exposes it. The enjoyment of this life for the disbeliever and the corruptor is not a reward—it is a temporary, deceptive loan. It is a fleeting amusement that masks a severe reckoning.
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Part 1: The Quranic Reality – “Enjoy for a Little While”
Allah addresses those who choose temporary pleasure over eternal obedience. Their wealth and power are not signs of His love, but tools of their own ruin.
1. The Definitive Verse: Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:26)
Arabic: ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعٌۭ
Translation: Allah increases the provision for whom He wills and restricts it. And they rejoice in the life of this world. But the life of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is but a [brief] enjoyment. (Sahih International)
Commentary: The verse highlights that the disbelievers rejoice in worldly gain. Yet Allah diminishes that joy by calling the entire world mata’ (a passing utility)—like a shadow that vanishes when you try to grasp it.
2. The Warning to the Corrupt: Surah Al-Qasas (28:58)
Translation: And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its [way of] living, and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We who were the inheritors.
Allah reminds the powerful corruptors: your palaces will be inherited by others. Your enjoyment ends the moment the angel of death visits you.
3. Surah Hud (11:15-16) – The Devastating Trade
Translation: Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do.
This is the most terrifying verse for the “successful” disbeliever. Allah gives them everything they want in this life—health, children, status—but on the Day of Judgment, their account is empty, then the Fire awaits.
Part 2: The Prophetic Confirmation – Enjoyment That Destroys
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) vividly described this phenomenon. The disbeliever’s enjoyment is like a traveler resting under a tree, only to leave it moments later.
Hadith 1: The Shade of a Tree
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (RA):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“The example of a believer in relation to the world is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then moves on and leaves it.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi – Hasan)
Application: The corrupt disbeliever, however, builds his entire identity around that tree, fights for it, and dies clinging to it. Then he leaves it forever to enter the blazing sun of Judgment.
Hadith 2: “If This World Was Worth a Mosquito’s Wing…”
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If the world was worth as much as a mosquito’s wing to Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a sip of water from it.” (Tirmidhi 2320 – Sahih)
Think about that. When you see a tyrant sipping champagne in a penthouse he built through bribery and oppression, know that Allah is giving him something worthless. The disbeliever is being paid in full here so that nothing remains for him there.
Hadith 3: The Corruption Spreaders
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“There is no sin that a man commits, nor corruption that he spreads on earth, except that Allah will punish him for it in this world before the Hereafter, unless He pardons him.” (Ibn Majah – Classified as Hasan by Al-Albani)
This is a direct answer to those who ask, “Why do corrupt people live long and happy lives?” The answer: their punishment often begins in this world through anxiety, betrayal, miserable children, or a sudden humiliating downfall. And if not, the Fire is worse.
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Part 3: The Believer’s Response – Don’t Envy, Pity
When you see a disbeliever “enjoying life” while spreading corruption (destroying families through adultery, stealing wealth through interest/riba, polluting the earth, promoting tyranny), do not envy him. Feel pity.
Allah says in Surah Ta-Ha (20:124-126):
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life…”
That celebrity, that corrupt politician, that drug lord laughing on social media? Inside, there is a gnawing emptiness. Their enjoyment is like a mirage. A thirsty person thinks it is water until he reaches it and finds nothing (Quran 24:39).
Actionable Takeaways for Your WordPress Blog Readers:
1. Stop comparing your struggles to their pleasures. Their pleasure is their punishment in disguise.
2. Hold fast to righteousness, even if you are poor. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.” (Muslim)
3. Do not be deceived by their longevity in sin. Every breath they take in rebellion is a rope tightening around their neck in the grave.
4. Make du’a for their guidance, not their destruction. Perhaps Allah will turn them from enjoyment to repentance, like he did with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).
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Conclusion: The Final Enjoyment
The disbeliever enjoys now and suffers forever.
The believer may suffer now but will enjoy forever in gardens beneath which rivers flow.
Choose wisely. The enjoyment of this life for the corrupt is nothing but fuel for the Fire.
“And the life of this world is not but amusement and play; but indeed, the home of the Hereafter is the true life, if only they knew.” (Quran 29:64)
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Call to Action:
Share this post with a brother or sister who is struggling with envy of the rich and corrupt. And comment below: What is one worldly pleasure you have sacrificed for the sake of Allah?
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JazakAllahu Khayran for reading. Stay grounded in the Quran and Sunnah.
