Allāh the Exalted has made resemblance between the actions of the disbelievers, concerning their futility, and absence of any benefit and between ashes on which a severe wind blows on a stormy day.

So He the Sublime made resemblance between:

➨ Their nullified actions that go away in falsehood just like the scattered dust, due to their not being (based) upon a foundation of īmān and iḥsān, and due to them being for other than [the sake] of Allāh (عز وجل), and upon other than His command (upon other than the Sunnah), and between

➨ The ashes which the strong wind blows into the sky.

So a person is not able to do anything with it during the time in which he is need of it (i.e. his actions on the Day of Judgement). For this reason He said, ‘they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned’, they are not able (to attain anything) on the Day of Judgement from whatever they have earned of their actions. Hence, they do not see it having any effect in reward, and nor any benefit from it. For Allāh does not accept anything of action unless what is sincerely for His Face, and in agreement with His legislation.

And actions are of four types: One which is accepted and three that are rejected.

The accepted [action] is "al-khāliṣ al-ṣawāb" (sincere and correct). Al-khāliṣ is that it is for the sake of Allāh (alone) and not other than Him. Al-ṣawāb is that it is from what Allāh has legislated upon the tongue of His Messenger.

The three rejected [types of action] are whatever oppose this.^[3]

In resembling these [rejected types of action] with ashes, there is a great, profound secret. This is due to the resemblance between their actions and between the ashes in fuelling, igniting the fire (i.e. making it scorch). Hence, the actions which are [done] for other than Allāh, and are done upon other than His intent (i.e. the way they have been requested, upon His legislation), then they are the food of the Fire (to be consumed by it), and it is by way of them that the Fire will roast, scorch its inhabitants. Allāh, the Sublime will bring about (more) fire and punishment from their false actions (within the Fire), just as He brings about bliss and pleasure for the people of actions that agree with His command and prohibition and which are purely for His sake alone. Hence, the Fire will affect their actions until it turns them to ashes. Hence, they, and their actions, and what they worship besides Allaah, are the fuel of the Fire.