وَمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
6:33; 47:37; 57:21.
Important Words:
حیوان (life) is infinitive-noun from حیی which means, he or it lived or was or became in the state termed حیاة. They say حیت النار (hayyat) i.e. the fire was or became alive or burning حیی الطریق (hayiya) means, the road was or became apparent or distinct. حیاة means, life; faculty of growth, the faculty of sensation, and the faculty of intellect; freedom from grief or sorrow. حیوان is synonymous with حیاة but with an intensive signification and means, everlasting life or life which will not be followed by death; much or full life; real life (Lane).
Commentary:
The verse means to say that life without hardships and privations borne for a noble cause, and without sacrifices undergone for the sake of God, is "but an amusement and a sport," a useless and purposeless existence. The purposeful life is that which is spent in the quest of a sublime object, in preparation for everlasting life for which God has created man.
6:33; 47:37; 57:21.
Life without hardships and privations borne for a noble cause, and without sacrifices undergone for the sake of God, is 'but a pastime and a sport,' a useless and purposeless existence. The purposeful life is that which is spent in the quest of a sublime and noble object and in preparation for everlasting life for which God has created man.