إِلَّا كَرَاكِبٍ اسْتَظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا
“Like a rider who rests in a tree's shade, then travels onward and leaves it.”
A traveler needs shade, water and rest on the journey. Such things are useful, but they are not mistaken for the final destination. Worldly life is similarly a stage: earning lawfully, caring for family and fulfilling commitments are legitimate, but they should not become the ultimate purpose of existence.
اسْتَظَلَّ — he sought shade.
ثُمَّ رَاحَ — then he departed.
وَتَرَكَهَا — and left it behind.
The sequence of verbs creates a vivid image of a temporary stay followed by departure.