“But you prefer the life of this world * Though the Hereafter is better and more enduring * Indeed, this is in the earlier scriptures * The scriptures of Abraham and Moses.”

“But you prefer the life of this world”—that is, you give it precedence over the Hereafter and choose its fleeting pleasures, marred and troubled as they are, over the Hereafter.

“Though the Hereafter is better and more enduring.” The Hereafter is better than this world in every desirable respect and more enduring, for it is the abode of eternal life, permanence, and purity, whereas this world is the abode of transience. A rational believer does not choose what is inferior over what is superior, nor trade an hour’s pleasure for eternal misery. Love of this world and preferring it over the Hereafter are therefore the root of every sin.

“Indeed, this”—what has been mentioned to you in this blessed surah of excellent commands and admirable reports—“is in the earlier scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses,” who are the noblest of the messengers apart from (1) the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Thus, these commands form part of every revealed law because they pertain to the welfare of both worlds—a welfare relevant to every time and place.

The commentary on Sūrat Sabbih is complete. All praise is due to Allah.

Commentary on Sūrat al-Ghāshiya

It is a Meccan surah.