Ali 'Imran · Madani · ayah 22 of 200

Ali 'Imran 3:22

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ

“They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there will be no helpers.”

Saheeh International

Essence

Deeds can look full and be rotting from within, like a camel gorged on spring grass; and those who silenced the helpers end with none.

A reflection

The camel in the spring pasture

A man lent his brother-in-law money ten years ago to save his business. It was a genuine kindness. He has mentioned it at every family gathering since. His brother-in-law now leaves the room when he arrives.

Ulāʾika alladhīna ḥabiṭat aʿmāluhum: those are the ones whose deeds have come to nothing. The first hearers saw a sickening picture in ḥabiṭa. In spring, a camel turned loose on rich new grass could eat so much that its belly swelled, and it died. Sahih al-Bukhari records the Prophet ﷺ using exactly this image: among what the spring grows is what kills by swelling. A deed that ḥabiṭa looked full and was ruined from within.

One classical commentary lists what such people had done that was good: charity, keeping family ties. Their deeds came to nothing, it says, because a condition was missing. Another names it: faith in Allah. Deeds without that root swell and collapse.

The ayah describes those who killed prophets and the callers to justice. But the image is a mirror for anyone. The Quran warns believers too: do not void your charity with reminders of the favour and with hurt (2:264). The loan was real. The reminders swelled it until it died.

A good deed can be lost in several ways after it is done. Telling people about it. Holding it over someone. Doing it for applause. Each is a little more spring grass than the stomach can hold.

Think of one kindness you have done that you still mention. Decide never to mention it again, to anyone, and let Allah keep it whole.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.