In a single verse, the Quran succinctly explains the phases in life that every human goes through. Ponder over this, whatever your faith, and read what the Quran has to say about the reality about the life of this world

1. Remarkable Qur’anic Portrayal of the
Phases and Reality of This Life
in a Single Verse
Short, Precise and Amazing!
Surah Hadeed (57): Verse 20

2. • Play
(in childhood)
Phase 1
• Diversion
(in early
youth)
Phase 2
• An
Adornment
(in early
manhood)
Phase 3
• Multiplying in
Riches &
Children
(middle age
onwards)
Phase 5
Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and diversion, an
adornment and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among
yourselves, in wealth and children.
• Mutual
Boasting
(twenties to
forties)
Phase 4

3. Everyone Goes Through These Phases in Life!
 Phase 1
 When you were a child, all that mattered was play
 Phase 2
 As you grew into adolescence, just hanging around and
wasting time in useless pursuits was everything in life
 Phase 3
 As you became a teenager, and entered early manhood,
looking good and adorning yourself took center-stage
 Phase 4
 Then came the stage when boasting of achievements in
career and business was commonplace
 Phase 5
 As you grew older, your main concern was to rival others in
wealth; and gloat over the achievements of your children

4. The Verse goes on, and Coins a Similitude to Explain the
Ephemeral Nature of Life in this World
Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings
forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt
see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away.

5. The Verse concludes with a Warning and Good News; and Sums
up the Life of this World in these Words
But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees
of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good
Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life
of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?