Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said concerning this verse, "Verily those
who show off, will be given their reward for their good deeds in this life. This
will be so that they are not wronged, even the amount equivalent to the size of
the speck on a date-stone.'' Ibn `Abbas continued saying, "Therefore, whoever
does a good deed seeking to acquire worldly gain - like fasting, prayer, or
standing for prayer at night - and he does so in order to acquire worldly
benefit, then Allah says, `Give him the reward of that which he sought in the
worldly life,' and his deed that he did is wasted because he was only seeking
the life of this world. In the Hereafter he will be of the losers.'' A similar
narration has been reported from Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and many others. Anas bin
Malik and Al-Hasan both said, "This verse was revealed concerning the Jews and
the Christians.'' Mujahid and others said, "This verse was revealed concerning
the people who perform deeds to be seen.'' Qatadah said, "Whoever's concern,
intention and goal is this worldly life, then Allah will reward him for his good
deeds in this life. Then, when reaches the next life, he will not have any good
deeds that will be rewarded. However, concerning the believer, he will be
rewarded for his good deeds in this life and in the Hereafter as well.'' Allah,
the Exalted, says,
[مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ
الْعَـجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا
لَهُ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَـهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا - وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الاٌّخِرَةَ
وَسَعَى لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَـئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا
- كُلاًّ نُّمِدُّ هَـؤُلاءِ وَهَـؤُلاءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ
رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا - انظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ
وَلَلاٌّخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَـتٍ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلاً ]
(Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We
readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have
appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected. And whoever
desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it
while he is a believer - then such are the ones whose striving shall be
appreciated. On each - these as well as those - We bestow from the bounties of
your Lord. And the bounties of your Lord can never be forbidden. See how We
prefer one above another, and verily, the Hereafter will be greater in degrees
and greater in intricacy.) [17:18-21] Allah, the Exalted, says,
[مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ
حَرْثَ الاٌّخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِى حَرْثِهِ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ
الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ ]
(Whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his
reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world, We give him thereof, and
he has no portion in the Hereafter.) [42:20]
[أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَى
بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ
مُوسَى إَمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً أُوْلَـئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ
الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ فَلاَ تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ إِنَّهُ
الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ ]
(17. Can they who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness
from Him recites (follows) it; and before it, came the Book of Musa, a guidance
and a mercy, they believe therein, but those of the sects that reject it, the
Fire will be their promised meeting place. So be not in doubt about it. Verily,
it is the truth from your Lord, but most of mankind believe not.)