What is this life ... but mere play!

Below is a message from my friend. This ayah is one of my favorites in the Quran.
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Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim

assalam o alaekum,

What a great reminder about life of this world! And what a beautiful similitude!


057.020 Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. 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. 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?
- Al-Qur'an, 057.020 (Al-Hadid [The Iron])

Oh Allah save us from running after pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying in rivalry in ourselves, our riches and our children. amen.

Sadaf