Transliteration:( Wa Yawma yu'radul lazeena kafaroo 'alan Naari azhabtum taiyibaatikum fee hayaatikumud dunyaa wastam ta'tum bihaa fal Yawma tujzawna 'azaabal hooni bimaa kuntum tastakbiroona fil ardi bighairil haqqi wa bimaa kuntum tafsuqoon (section 2) )
And on the day when the infidels will be exposed to the fire, (it shall be said to them): "You had exhausted [56] your good things in your worldly life and fully enjoyed [57] them. Therefore, today you shall be awarded the degrading punishment [58], a punishment for that you were arrogant [59] in the earth, without justification, and because you acted rebelliously [60]".
One meaning of “you had exhausted your good things” is that whatever apparent good deeds or worldly comfort the disbelievers had enjoyed in this life, they have already been repaid for. So now, they should expect no reward in the Hereafter.
Alternatively, it may also refer to how they used up all the pure worldly bounties—whether wealth, food, or physical energy—entirely for their personal indulgence, with no intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
In contrast, the believer may face hardship in this world, which acts as a means of spiritual purification, and earns eternal comfort in the Hereafter.
Since disbelievers focused entirely on worldly enjoyment, they now have no share in the Hereafter. Believers, however, spend their time, wealth, and effort with the Afterlife in mind—therefore, they will find peace and reward there.
The pious use this verse as a reminder to dedicate portions of their life to Allah, including time, wealth, and even children, for Zakat and sacrifice in the path of faith.
This verse indicates that disbelievers will face not just painful, but also humiliating punishment, as a recompense for their arrogant denial. Even if a sinful believer is punished, Allah will preserve him from disgrace, distinguishing faith from disbelief.
This refers to false pride—arrogance without any rightful basis. If pride is grounded in truth and religion, such as affirming the honour of Islam against disbelief, it is considered commendable and even an act of worship. But pride based on falsehood, ego, or rebellion is condemned.
Thus, arrogance has three categories, and each has its distinct ruling in Shariah.
The righteous predecessors, such as Hazrat Umar (RA), would cite this verse to justify their abstention from worldly luxury. He would say, “Though I can eat better than you, I choose to forgo comfort for the Hereafter.” This shows that detachment from worldly indulgence is a prophetic path, rooted in Qur’anic guidance.
The tafsir of Surah Ahqaf verse 20 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ahqaf ayat 17 which provides the complete commentary from verse 17 through 20.
(46:20) And on the Day when the unbelievers will be exposed to the Fire, they will be told: “You have exhausted your share of the bounties in the life of the world, and you took your fill of enjoyments. So, degrading chastisement shall be yours on this Day for you waxed arrogant in the earth without justification and acted iniquitously.”[24]
24. “Punishment of humiliation”, because of the arrogance that they showed. They thought they were big people and it was below their dignity to believe in the Messenger and join the poor and indigent believers. They were involved in the false pride that if the big people like them would believe in a thing which a few slaves and poor men had believed in, they would incur infamy. That is why Allah will disgrace them in the Hereafter and will destroy their pride.
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