Chapter: Among the forms of shirk (associating partners with Allah) is a person’s seeking worldly gain through his acts of worship.

Allah the Exalted says: “Whoever desires the life of this world and its glitter, We shall fully recompense them therein for the deeds they have done, and they will not be deprived there.” – the two verses –

The second verse reads: “Those are the ones who shall have nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire; all that they wrought will be nullified, and worthless is whatever they used to do.” (Sūrah Hūd, 11:15–16)

Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd (pure monotheism): it clarifies that performing deeds solely for worldly benefit is a kind of shirk, contradicts the perfection of tawḥīd, and nullifies one’s deeds. It differs from the previous chapter in that here the deed is done to obtain some worldly advantage, whereas the ostentatious person acts only for people’s praise.

“Desires the life of this world and its adornment”: i.e., he seeks, through his deeds, worldly reward and wealth.

“We shall fully recompense them”: We will grant them the return for their deeds in the form of health, delight in family, property, and children.

“Will not be deprived”: nothing of their share will be diminished.

“They shall have nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire”: because they worked only for worldly life.

“Will be nullified”: rendered void.

“What they wrought therein”: in the Hereafter they will find no reward for it, for they never intended the Hereafter.

Summary of the two verses: Whoever makes this world his sole concern and pursues it through his deeds, giving no heed to the Hereafter, Allah may grant him the fruits of his good deeds in this life if He wills