An-Noor • EN-TAFSIR-IBN-ABBAS
﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَعْمَٰلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِيعَةٍۢ يَحْسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمْـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُۥ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْـًۭٔا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ فَوَفَّىٰهُ حِسَابَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ ﴾
“But as for those who are bent on denying the truth, their [good] deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water – until, when he approaches it, he finds that it was nothing: instead, he finds [that] God [has always been present] with him, and [that] He will pay him his account in full - for God is swift in reckoning!”
(As for those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (their deeds) the similitude of their works in the Hereafter (are as a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one supposeth it to be water) from far (till he cometh unto it and findeth it naught) he finds that it is not water; similarly, the disbeliever will not find any reward for his works in the Hereafter, (and finds, in the place thereof, Allah) and he finds with Allah the punishment for the sins he committed; it is also said that this means: and finds Allah ready to chastise him, (Who payeth him his due) Who inflict on him his punishment; (and Allah is swift at reckoning) Allah is severe in His punishment; it is also said that this means: when Allah takes people to task His reckoning is swift.