Darulifta Ahlesunnat (Dawateislami)
Question
What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following matter: Is the meaning of (وَلَلْاٰخِرَةُ خَیْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْاُوْلٰى) simply that 'your future is better than your past'? Has this verse been revealed concerning every Muslim? Please provide a complete exegesis of this verse.
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
(وَلَلْاٰخِرَةُ خَیْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْاُوْلٰى) And indeed, for you, the later moment is better than the former. This blessed verse
was revealed for the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَ سَلَّم. Commentators have given multiple meanings for this verse. One interpretation of this verse is that, O Beloved صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَ سَلَّم! Indeed, the Hereafter is better for you than this world, because there awaits you the Praiseworthy Station (al-Maqām al-Maḥmūd), the Pool of Kawthar (al-Ḥawḍ al-Kawthar), and all the goodness that has been promised. This includes your precedence over all Prophets and Messengers عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَ الـسَّـلَام, your Ummah being witnesses over all other nations, the elevation of the believers' ranks and stations through your intercession and countless honours and nobilities that cannot be adequately expressed.
Furthermore, the exegetes have also stated another meaning for this verse: that the upcoming states and circumstances are better and superior for you than the previous ones. This implies that Allah Almighty’s promise is that He will elevate his ranks day by day, increasing his honour upon honour and status upon status, so that his stations will continue to progress in every coming moment.
In Tafsīr Nasafī, it is stated:
ای ما اعد اللہ لك في الآخرة من المقام المحمود و الحوض المورود و الخير الموعود خير مما اعجبك فی الدنيا
Meaning, whatever Allah Almighty has prepared for you in the Hereafter, such as the Praiseworthy Station, Pool of Kawthar, and the promised goodness, is better than the good that you preferred in this world. (Tafsir Nasafi, vol. 3, p. 653; Gharāʾib al-Tafsir Wa ʿAjāʾib al-Tāwīl, vol. 2, p. 1354; Fatāwā Riḍawiyyah, vol. 30, pp. 165-166, summarised)
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم
(Allah Almighty knows best and His Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَ اٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows best.)
Answered By: Mufti Abu Muhammad Ali Asghar Attari Madani
Date: Islamic Magazine Faizan e Madina September 2025