1. By the morning light
2. and by the night when it darkens and becomes still
3. (Indeed) Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor is He displeased (with you)
4. and the Hereafter is (a lot) better for you than the present (worldly life)
5. and soon your Lord will bestow you (with so may blessings) that you will be satisfied
6. Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?
7. and did He not find you oblivious of the Guidance (of Islam) and guided you (to Islam)?
8. and did He not find you destitute and make you affluent?
9. So you (in gratitude for the above blessings) must not be harsh with the orphan
10. and you must not rebuke the beggar
11. and you must recount the blessings of your Lord.
Category: Translation
Does Allah make people go astray?
When Allah says ‘We lead them astray’ or ‘We made them go astray’, what does that actually mean? Is it that Allah compels people to go astray?
فَمَا لَكُمۡ فِی ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِینَ فِئَتَیۡنِ وَٱللَّهُ أَرۡكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوۤا۟ۚ أَتُرِیدُونَ أَن تَهۡدُوا۟ مَنۡ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُۖ وَمَن یُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِیلࣰا
[Surah An-Nisāʾ: 88]
So, what is the matter with you that you have become two groups about the hypocrites, while Allah has reverted them because of what they did. Do you want to guide the one whom Allah has let go astray? The one whom Allah lets go astray, you shall never find a way for him.
وَٱلَّذِینَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔایَـٰتِنَا صُمࣱّ وَبُكۡمࣱ فِی ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِۗ مَن یَشَإِ ٱللَّهُ یُضۡلِلۡهُ وَمَن یَشَأۡ یَجۡعَلۡهُ عَلَىٰ صِرَ ٰطࣲ مُّسۡتَقِیمࣲ
[Surah Al-Anʿām: 39]
Those who gave the lie to Our signs are deaf and dumb, in layers of darkness. He lets whomsoever He wills go astray, and brings whomsoever He wills on the straight path.
مَن یَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِیۖ وَمَن یُضۡلِلۡ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
[Surah Al-Aʿrāf: 178]
The one whom Allah gives guidance is the one on the right path. As for those whom Allah lets go astray, those are the losers.
وَلَا یَنفَعُكُمۡ نُصۡحِیۤ إِنۡ أَرَدتُّ أَنۡ أَنصَحَ لَكُمۡ إِن كَانَ ٱللَّهُ یُرِیدُ أَن یُغۡوِیَكُمۡۚ هُوَ رَبُّكُمۡ وَإِلَیۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ
My good counsel will not profit you, even though I wish you the best, if Allah wills to let you go astray. He is your Lord, and to Him you shall be made to return.”
[Surah Hūd: 34]
وَیَقُولُ ٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوۡلَاۤ أُنزِلَ عَلَیۡهِ ءَایَةࣱ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦۚ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُضِلُّ مَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَهۡدِیۤ إِلَیۡهِ مَنۡ أَنَابَ
[Surah Ar-Raʿd: 27]
The disbelievers say, “Why is it that no sign (of their choice) has been sent down to him from his Lord?” Say, “Allah lets go astray whom He wills and gives guidance to those who turn to Him,
بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِینَ ظَلَمُوۤا۟ أَهۡوَاۤءَهُم بِغَیۡرِ عِلۡمࣲۖ فَمَن یَهۡدِی مَنۡ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِینَ
[Surah Ar-Rūm: 29]
But the wrongdoers have followed their desires without knowledge. So who can guide the one whom Allah leaves astray? For such people there are no helpers.
أَلَیۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبۡدَهُۥۖ وَیُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِٱلَّذِینَ مِن دُونِهِۦۚ وَمَن یُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنۡ هَادࣲ . وَمَن یَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّۗ أَلَیۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِیزࣲ ذِی ٱنتِقَامࣲ
[Surah Az-Zumar: 36-37]
Is Allah not sufficient for (the protection of) His slave? They are frightening you of those (false gods whom they worship) other than Him. Whomsoever Allah would let go astray, for him there is no one to guide. And whomsoever Allah gives guidance, for him there is no one to misguide. Is it not that Allah is Mighty, Powerful to avenge?
Like in the above Ayaat the words اضل الله and يضلله effectively mean that ‘He made/makes them go astray’. Which seems somewhat inconsistent with Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Though the translator has translated these words as ‘let them go astray’, it is more of an interpretation than a translation, so the word ‘let’ should have been in parentheses.
So when Allah says ‘We lead them astray’ or ‘We made them go astray’, what it means is that for Humans to act, both their will and Allah’s will is required, so when they want to go astray they cannot go astray without Allah’s will and likewise for being guided.
وَلَوۡ شَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ مَاۤ أَشۡرَكُوا۟ۗ وَمَا جَعَلۡنَـٰكَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ حَفِیظࣰاۖ وَمَاۤ أَنتَ عَلَیۡهِم بِوَكِیلࣲ
If Allah willed, they would not have associated. We have not appointed you as a guard over them, nor are you a taskmaster for them.
[Surah Al-Anʿām: 107]
قُلۡ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡحُجَّةُ ٱلۡبَـٰلِغَةُۖ فَلَوۡ شَاۤءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِینَ
[Surah Al-Anʿām: 149]
Say, “Then, Allah’s is the conclusive proof. So, had He willed, He would have brought all of you on the right path”.
وَلَوۡ شَاۤءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كُلُّهُمۡ جَمِیعًاۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكۡرِهُ ٱلنَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ یَكُونُوا۟ مُؤۡمِنِینَ
Had your Lord willed, all those on earth would have believed altogether. Would you, then, compel people, so that they become believers?
[Surah Yūnus: 99]
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ أَن تُؤۡمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَیَجۡعَلُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِینَ لَا یَعۡقِلُونَ
It is not (possible) for any one that he believes except with the will of Allah. And He makes filth settle on those who do not understand.
[Surah Yūnus: 100]
{ وَلَوۡ شَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمۡ أُمَّةࣰ وَ ٰحِدَةࣰ وَلَـٰكِن یُضِلُّ مَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَهۡدِی مَن یَشَاۤءُۚ وَلَتُسۡـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ }
If Allah so willed, He would have made all of you a single community, but He lets whom He wills go astray and takes whom He wills to the right path; and surely you will be questioned about.
[Surah An-Naḥl: 93]
وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَـَٔاتَیۡنَا كُلَّ نَفۡسٍ هُدَىٰهَا وَلَـٰكِنۡ حَقَّ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ مِنِّی لَأَمۡلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجۡمَعِینَ
[Surah As-Sajdah: 13]
And if We had so willed, We would have led everybody to his right path (by force), but the word from Me had come to pass: “I will certainly fill the Jahannam with jinn and human beings together.”
So in effect when they go astray or be guided, it is also by Allah’s will. So Humans cannot will anything if Allah does not will it. Allah’s will called ‘مشيئة’ is a necessary condition.
وَمَا تَشَاۤءُونَ إِلَّاۤ أَن یَشَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِیمًا حَكِیمࣰا
[Surah Al-Insān: 30]
And you will not so wish unless Allah so wills. Indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
وَمَا تَشَاۤءُونَ إِلَّاۤ أَن یَشَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ
[Surah At-Takwīr: 29]
And you cannot intend (to do anything) unless it is so willed by Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.
A thing to note is that Allah’s will (مشيئة) is different from Allah’s approval (رضا).
إِن تَكۡفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِیٌّ عَنكُمۡۖ وَلَا یَرۡضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلۡكُفۡرَۖ وَإِن تَشۡكُرُوا۟ یَرۡضَهُ لَكُمۡۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةࣱ وِزۡرَ أُخۡرَىٰۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَیُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِیمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
If you disbelieve, then, Allah does not need you at all, however He does not like for His servants to be disbelievers; and if you are grateful, He will like it for you. No one will bear the burden of someone else. Then, to your Lord is your return; so He will tell you about what you used to do. He is aware of whatever lies in the hearts.
[Surah Az-Zumar: 7]
And the polytheists could not differentiate between the two or deliberately mingle up Allah’s will with his pleasure and used this as a scapegoat for their polytheism.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَشۡرَكُوا۟ لَوۡ شَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدۡنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَیۡءࣲ نَّحۡنُ وَلَاۤ ءَابَاۤؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمۡنَا مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَیۡءࣲۚ كَذَ ٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ فَهَلۡ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِینُ
The polytheists said, “If Allah had so willed, we would have not worshipped anything other than Him – neither we nor our forefathers – nor would we have made anything unlawful without (a command from) Him.” Similar was the reaction of those who were before them. Therefore, the messengers’ obligation is no more than to convey the message clearly.
[Surah An-Naḥl: 35]
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوۡ شَاۤءَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ مَا عَبَدۡنَـٰهُمۗ مَّا لَهُم بِذَ ٰلِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍۖ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا یَخۡرُصُونَ
They say, “Had the RaHmān so willed, we would not have worshipped them.” They have no knowledge of that. They do nothing but make conjectures.
[Surah Az-Zukhruf: 20]
Translation of Surah Al Baqarah
1. Alif Laam Meem
2. This is the Book, in which there is no doubt, (and this Book) is guidance for the God-fearing.
3. (They are) those who believe in the Unseen and establish Prayers and spend (for the pleasure of Allah) from which We have provided them.
23. And if you are in (any) doubt regarding (the authorship of the Qur’an) which we have revealed upon Our (chosen) servant, then bring forth a chapter from its (the revelation’s) likeness. And (also) call upon your witnesses ( i.e. helpers in writing this chapter) other than Allah, if you are truthful (in your doubt).
24. So if you do not do it (i.e. imitate the Qur’an) and (the fact is) you can never do it, then save yourself from the fire (of Hell) whose fuel is people and stones which is prepared for the disbelievers.
25. And give glad tidings to those who believe (in Islam) and do noble deeds, that for them are gardens, from underneath which flow rivers. Whenever they are provided with from the fruits therein, they say this is what we had been provided with before; and they are provided with fruits similar (in form and color but with different and better taste), and for them therein are pure (bodily clean and morally chaste) wives, and they will abide therein forever.
26. Verily Allah is not shy of presenting an example of a mosquito or something above that(in smallness of size). So those who believe, they know that this (example) is the truth from their Lord. And those who disbelieve, they say “What does Allah intend by presenting this example?” (Allah) lets many people go astray due to this and guides with it a lot of them, and He does not let anyone go astray with it other than the (rebellious) sinners.
27. (These sinners are) those who have broken Allah’s covenant after it being strengthened; and severe (ties and relations) which Allah has ordered that they be joined and they create disorder in the earth, they are the (real) losers.
28. How can you disbelieve in Allah, while (you know that) you were dead (before conception) then He gave you life. Then He will make you dead (and) then He will give you life (resurrect you and) then towards Him you will be returned.
29. He is the one Who created for you (to make use of), all that is in the earth, then He turned towards the heavens and fashioned them (into) seven skies; and He is the Knower of everything (that He created).
30. And (it is worth remembering) when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to make a vicegerent in the earth.” They (the angels) said, “Do you (intend to) make (such people the vicegerent) in it (the earth), who will create chaos in it and commit bloodshed while we attribute purity for You along with Your praise and we attribute sanctity for You. He said, “(Indeed) I know, what you know not.”
31. And He taught Adam names of everything then He presented them (the things) to the angels and said, “tell me the names of these (things), if you are truthful.”
32. They (the angels) said, ” (We proclaim) Your purity (from every imperfection), we don’t have any knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily You are the All-knowing, All-Wise.”
33. He said, “O Adam, tell them (the angels) names of these (things).” When he told them their names, He said, “Did I not tell you that indeed I know the unseen of the skies and the earth; and I know what you show and what you were hiding.”
34. And (it is also worth remembering) when We said to the angels, “Prostrate in front of Adam”. So they (all) prostrated except Iblis (the Satan), he disobeyed and became haughty. And he was among the rebellious.
35. And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your spouse, in Jannah and eat from therein without limits, from wherever you want and (just) do not go near this tree; (but if you ate from the tree) then you both will be among the transgressors.”
36. Thus the Satan made them err about this (tree) and evicted them from where they were (dwelling i.e. in Jannah). And We said, “Descend (out of Jannah towards the earth), some of you (the Satan) would be enemies of others (the Humankind), and for you there is dwelling (place) in the earth and beneficial things for some (appointed) time.”
37. Then Adam received (few) words (of repentance) from his Lord (and prayed with them), so He forgave him, He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.
38. We said to them,”Descend from it (Jannah), all of you. So if guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows my guidance, will have no fear nor will they grieve.
39. And those who disbelieve and reject Our signs, they are the dwellers of Fire (of Jahannam), they would remain therein forever.
40. O Children of Israel (Jews), remember my blessing which I bestowed upon you (and your forefathers) and fulfill my covenant (of believing in Muhammad ﷺ), I will fulfill your covenant (of entering you in Jannah). And from me only, you should fear (regarding this covenant).
41. And (O Jews) believe in what I have revealed (the Qur’an) which testifies that which is with you (the Torah) and do not become it’s (Qur’an’s) first denier. And do not sell my Verses for a little cost (and every cost is little when weighed against Allah’s commandments) and (it is) only me you should fear.
42. And do not mix truth with falsehood, and do not conceal the truth knowingly.
43. And establish Salaat (prayer) and give Zakaat (alms) and bow (in prayers) with those who bow.
44. Do you order people of (doing) good and forget your own selves and (even though) you recite the Book (the Torah), do you not then understand (that this is absurd).
45. And seek help with patience and Salaat (prayers) and this (Salaat) is overwhelming (on everyone) except on those who are humble (steadfast on His obedience).
46. Who think (with conviction) that they are going to meet their Lord and that towards Him (only) they will be returning (after the resurrection).
47. O Children of Israel (Jews), remember my blessing which I bestowed upon you (and your forefathers) and (remember that) I gave you (your forefathers) precedence over (all) the worlds (peoples of that time);
48. And fear that Day (of Judgement) wherein no one will suffice for anyone, and neither will intersession be accepted from him, and neither will ransom be taken from him, and nor will any (of them) be helped.
49. And (remember another one of My favors upon you) when We saved you (your forefathers) from the people of Pharaoh, who were inflicting upon you the worst torment; they were slaughtering your sons while leaving your women alive. And you were in a great trial from your Lord.
50. And (remember) when We separated (divided) the sea for you, then We saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were watching.
51. And (remember) when We appointed forty nights for Musa, then you took the calf (as a deity) after him (when he left for the Tur mountain) and you were unjust.
52. Then We forgave you after that (calf’s worshipping) so that you become grateful (for Our forgiveness).
53. And (remember) when We gave Musa the Book (Torah) and Al Furqan (the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood) so that you may be guided.
54. And (remember) when Musa said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by taking the calf (as God), so repent to your Creator; so kill (from) yourselves (who committed idolatry). This is better for you with your Creator. Then, He accepted your repentance, He is indeed the Forgiver, the Compassionate.
55. And when you (your forefathers) said, “O Musa, we will never believe in you until we openly see Allah.” So a Thunderous Lightening took (killed seventy people from among) you while you were watching.
56. Then We resurrected you after your death (due to the thunderbolt), so that you may show gratitude (on being forgiven and resurrected).
57. And We made the clouds to shade you and We sent down upon you the Mann and the Salwa. (Allah said to them) “Eat from the good (pure and clean) things which We have given you.” And they (the Bani Israel) did not wrong us (by their ingratitude), rather they wronged themselves.
58. And when We said (to the Bani Israel), “Go forth into this city, eat from wherever you like unhindered and enter the gate while prostrating (bowing) and say ‘Hittatun’ (please forgive us) We will forgive you your sins and we will give more to the people who do good.”
59. So the transgressors changed the sentence with (sentence) other than what was told to them (to say while entering the city), so We sent down upon the transgressors a torment (plague) from the sky as a punishment for their disobedience.
60. and (remember that time) when Musa asked for water for his people; So We told him, “Strike the stone with your staff”, then gushed forth from it (the stone) twelve streams (of water). Everyone (of the twelve Jewish clans) knew their drinking place (among those twelve streams). (Allah Ta’ala said) Eat and drink from the providence of Allah and do not go around mischievously in the Earth spreading corruption.
61. and (remember) when you (Jews) said, “O Musa we will never be content on (only) one meal. So ask (pray to) your Lord that He (may) bring forth for us from among those which the Earth grows from its green vegetables, its cucumbers, its garlic (or wheat), its lentils and its onions.” He said, “Do you exchange the one which is lesser (earthly food) with the one which is better (heavenly food)? (But if you are still adamant so) Go, descend down to (any) city, (therein) for you is what you asked for.” And humiliation and destitution was stamped upon them and they returned with the wrath from Allah (upon them). This (humiliation and wrath) was because they used to reject the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without any right (to do so) (and) this was because of their disobedience and their transgression.
62. Indeed those who believed and those who became Jews and the Christians and the Sabians, whoever (during their respective prophet’s era) believed in Allah and the Day of Judgement and did good deeds, for them is their reward with their Lord and there will be no fear upon them nor will they grieve.
63. and (remember) when We took your covenant (from you that you will act upon the Torah) and (to make you abide by your covenant) We raised the Tur (mountain) above you; (and We said) “Hold fast onto that which We have given you (the Torah) and keep in mind whatever is in it (i.e. its injunctions), so that you may become God-fearing.”
64. Even after this, you turned back (from your Covenant). So if it had not been for Allah’s Grace upon you and His Mercy (in forgiving your sin), you would surely have been among the losers.
65. And indeed (O Jews) you have known about those who transgressed among you in (the sanctity of) Sabbath; We said to them “Become worthless monkeys” (so they became monkeys)
Translation of Ayat 31 of Surah Ya-Seen
The Ayat and its translation by different translators is given below.
Sahih International: Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them – that they to them will not return?
Pickthall: Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them;
Yusuf Ali: See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return:
Shakir: Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them?
Muhammad Sarwar: Have they not seen how many generations, living before them, had We destroyed and they cannot ever come back to them?
Mohsin Khan: Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them.
Arberry: What, have they not seen how many generations We have destroyed before them, and that it is not unto them that they return?
Maajidi: Do they not see how many of the generations before them We have destroyed? Surely to them they shall not return.
Taqi Usmani: Did they not see how many generations We have destroyed before them who will not come back to them?
Qarib: Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? They shall never return to them,
Muhammad Asad: Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before their time, [and] that those [that have perished] will never return to them,
Almost all the translators have translated this verse in the same fashion. The highlighted part of the translation is under discussion that Allah says that don’t they see that We have destroyed many generations before them that they shall never return to them. This translation means that Allah is admonishing the disbelievers by telling them that the generations which perished before you will never come back to you.
Now this i.e the dead not coming back was a common knowledge and belief of the disbelievers as Qur’an testifies about this in several places.[1] So the second part of the translation does not conform to the first part as first part is admonition while the second part does not add any weight to it, rather it seems disjointed and out of place.
To conform to the context of the first part, the second part must be an admonition or add stress to the first admonition. To fill this gap of my understanding I went through almost all famous Tafaseer, but could not find anything. Then after some more digging I found my answer in a rather lesser known Tafseer of Imam Burhanuddeen Al Biqai i.e. Nazmud Durar fi Tansubil Ayaati was Suwar. Here I quote from it:
﴿أَلَمۡ یَرَوۡا۟ كَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا قَبۡلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمۡ إِلَیۡهِمۡ لَا یَرۡجِعُونَ﴾ [يس ٣١]
ولَمّا أتَمَّ – سُبْحانَهُ – الخَبَرَ عَنْ أوَّلِ أمْرِ المُمَثَّلِ بِهِمْ؛ وأوَّلِ أمْرِ المُؤْمِنِ بِهِمْ؛ وآخِرِهِ؛ وأذِنَ هَذا التَّحَسُّرُ بِأنَّ هَلاكَ المُكَذِّبِينَ أمْرٌ لا بُدَّ مِنهُ؛ دَلَّ عَلَيْهِ مُعَجِّبًا مِن عَدَمِ نَظَرِهِمْ لِأنْفُسِهِمْ؛ ومُهَدِّدًا لِلسّامِعِينَ مِنهُمْ؛ ومُحَذِّرًا مِن آخِرِ أمْرِ المُمَثَّلِ بِهِمْ؛ عَلى وجْهٍ انْدَرَجَ فِيهِ جَمِيعُ الأُمَمِ الماضِيَةِ؛ والطَّوائِفِ الخالِيَةِ؛ بِقَوْلِهِ: ﴿ألَمْ يَرَوْا﴾؛ أيْ: يَعْلَمْ؛ هَؤُلاءِ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُوهُمْ؛ عِلْمًا هو كالرُّؤْيَةِ؛ بِما صَحَّ عِنْدَهم مِنَ الأخْبارِ؛ وما شاهَدُوهُ مِنَ الآثارِ؛ ﴿كَمْ أهْلَكْنا﴾؛ عَلى ما لَنا مِنَ العَظَمَةِ؛ ودَلَّ قَوْلُهُ: ﴿قَبْلَهُمْ﴾ – بِكَوْنِهِ ظَرْفًا لَمْ يَذْكُرْ فِيهِ الجارَّ – عَلى أنَّ المُرادَ جَمِيعُ الزَّمانِ الَّذِي تَقَدَّمَهُمْ؛ مِن آدَمَ إلى زَمانِهِمْ؛ وإدْخالُ الجارِّ عَلى المُهْلَكِينَ يَدُلُّ عَلى أنَّ المُرادَ بَعْضُهُمْ؛ فَرَجَعَ حاصِلُ ذَلِكَ إلى أنَّ المُرادَ: انْظُرُوا جَمِيعَ ما مَضى مِنَ الزَّمانِ؛ هَلْ عُذِّبَ فِيهِ قَوْمٌ عَذابَ الِاسْتِئْصالِ إلّا بِسَبَبِ عِصْيانِ الرُّسُلِ؛ فَقالَ: ﴿مِنَ القُرُونِ﴾؛ أيْ: الكَثِيرَةِ؛ الشَّدِيدَةِ؛ الضَّخْمَةِ؛ و”القَرْنُ“؛ قالَ البَغَوِيُّ: أهْلُ كُلِّ عَصْرٍ؛ سُمُّوا بِذَلِكَ لِاقْتِرانِهِمْ في الوُجُودِ؛ ﴿أنَّهُمْ﴾؛ أيْ: لِأنَّ القُرُونَ؛ ولَمّا كانَ المُرادُ مِن ”رَسُولٍ“؛ لَيْسَ واحِدًا بِعَيْنِهِ؛ وكانَتْ صِيغَةُ ”فَعَوْلٌ“؛ كَـ ”فَعِيلٌ“؛ يَسْتَوِي فِيها المُذَكَّرُ؛ والمُؤَنَّثُ؛ والواحِدُ؛ والجَمْعُ؛ أعادَ الضَّمِيرَ لِلْجَمِيعِ؛ فَقالَ: ﴿إلَيْهِمْ﴾؛ أيْ: إلى الرُّسُلِ خاصَّةً؛ مِن حَيْثُ كَوْنُهم رُسُلًا؛ ﴿لا يَرْجِعُونَ﴾؛ أيْ: عَنْ مَذاهِبِهِمُ الخَبِيثَةِ؛ ويَخُصُّونَ الرُّسُلَ بِالِاتِّباعِ؛ فَلا يَتَّبِعُونَ غَيْرَهم أصْلًا في شَيْءٍ مِنَ الأشْياءِ الدِّينِيَّةِ؛ أوِ الدُّنْيَوِيَّةِ؛ فاطَّرَدَتْ سُنَّتُنا؛ ولَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِنا تَبْدِيلًا؛ في أنَّهُ كُلَّما كَذَّبَ قَوْمٌ رَسُولَهم أهْلَكْناهُمْ؛ ونَجَّيْنا رَسُولَهُمْ؛ ومَن تَبِعَهُ؛ أفَلا يَخافُ هَؤُلاءِ أنْ نُجْرِيَهم عَلى تِلْكَ السُّنَّةِ القَدِيمَةِ القَوِيمَةِ؛ فَـ ”أنَّ“؛ تَعْلِيلِيَّةٌ؛ عَلى إرادَةِ حَذْفِ لامِ العِلَّةِ؛ كَما هو مَعْرُوفٌ في غَيْرِ مَوْضِعٍ؛ وضَمِيرُ ”أنَّهُمْ“؛ لِلْمُرْسَلِ إلَيْهِمْ؛ وضَمِيرُ ”إلَيْهِمْ“؛ لِلرُّسُلِ؛ لا يَشُكُّ في هَذا مَن لَهُ ذَوْقٌ سَلِيمٌ؛ وطَبْعٌ مُسْتَقِيمٌ؛ والتَّعْبِيرُ بِالمُضارِعِ لِلدَّلالَةِ عَلى إمْهالِهِمْ؛ والتَّأنِّي بِهِمْ؛ والحِلْمِ عَنْهُمْ؛ مَعَ تَمادِيهِمْ في العِنادِ بِتَجْدِيدِ عَدَمِ الرُّجُوعِ؛ و”يَرْجِعُونَ“؛ هُنا نَحْوُ قَوْلِهِ (تَعالى): ﴿ولَنُذِيقَنَّهم مِنَ العَذابِ الأدْنى دُونَ العَذابِ الأكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهم يَرْجِعُونَ﴾ [السجدة: ٢١]؛ أيْ: عَنْ طُرُقِهِمُ الفاسِدَةِ؛ وهَذا مَعْنى الآيَةِ بِغَيْرِ شَكٍّ؛ ولَيْسَ بِشَيْءٍ قَوْلُ مَن قالَ: المَعْنى أنَّ المُهْلَكِينَ لا يَرْجِعُونَ إلى الدُّنْيا؛ لِيُفِيدَ الرَّدُّ عَلى مَن يَقُولُ بِالرَّجْعَةِ؛ لِأنَّ العَرَبَ لَيْسَتْ مِمَّنْ يَعْتَقِدُ ذَلِكَ؛ ولَوْ سَلِمَ لَمْ يَحْسُنْ؛ لِأنَّ السِّياقَ لَيْسَ لَهُ؛ لَمْ يَتَقَدَّمْ عَنْهم غَيْرُ الِاسْتِهْزاءِ؛ فَأنْكَرَ عَلَيْهِمُ اسْتِهْزاءَهُمْ؛ مَعَ عِلْمِهِمْ بِأنَّ اللَّهَ (تَعالى) أجْرى سُنَّتَهُ أنَّ مَنِ اسْتَهْزَأ بِالرُّسُلِ؛ وخالَفَ قَوْلَهُمْ؛ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ إلَيْهِ؛ أهْلَكَهُ؛ اطَّرَدَ ذَلِكَ مِن سُنَّتِهِ؛ ولَمْ يَتَخَلَّفْ في أُمَّةٍ مِنَ الأُمَمِ؛ كَما وقَعَ لِقَوْمِ نُوحٍ؛ وهُودٍ؛ ومَن بَعْدَهُمْ؛ لَمْ يَتَخَلَّفْ في واحِدَةٍ مِنهُمْ؛ وكُلُّهم تَعْرِفُ العَرَبُ أخْبارَهُمْ؛ ويَنْظُرُونَ آثارَهُمْ؛ وكَذا يَعْرِفُونَ قِصَّةَ مُوسى – عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ – مَعَ فِرْعَوْنَ؛ فالسِّياقُ لِلتَّهْدِيدِ؛ فَصارَ المَعْنى: ألَمْ يَرَ هَؤُلاءِ كَثْرَةَ مَن أهْلَكْنا مِمَّنْ قَبْلَهُمْ؛ لِمُخالَفَتِهِمْ لِلرُّسُلِ؟ أفَلا يَخْشَوْنَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ في مُخالَفَتِهِمْ لِرَسُولِهِمْ؟ وذَلِكَ مُوافِقٌ لِقِراءَةِ الكَسْرِ؛ الَّتِي نَقَلَها البُرْهانُ السَّفاقُسِيُّ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبّاسٍ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُما – وغَيْرِهِ؛ عَنِ الحَسَنِ؛ وقالُوا: إنَّها اسْتِئْنافِيَّةٌ؛ فَهي عَلى تَقْدِيرِ سُؤالِ مَن كَأنَّهُ قالَ: لِمَ أهْلَكَهُمْ؟ وهَذا كَما إذا شاعَ أنَّ الوادِيَ الفُلانِيَّ ما سَلَكَهُ أحَدٌ إلّا أُصِيبَ؛ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ مانِعًا عَنْ سُلُوكِهِ؛ وإنْ أرادَ ذَلِكَ أحَدٌ صَحَّ أنْ يُقالَ لَهُ: ألَمْ تَرَ أنَّهُ ما سَلَكَهُ أحَدٌ إلّا هَلَكَ؟ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ زاجِرًا لَهُ؛ ورادًّا عَنِ التَّمادِي فِيهِ؛ لِكَوْنِ العِلَّةِ في الهَلاكِ سُلُوكُهُ فَقَطْ؛ وذَلِكَ أكَفُّ لَهُ مِن أنْ يُقالَ لَهُ: ألَمْ تَرَ أنَّ النّاسَ يَمُوتُونَ؛ وكَثْرَةَ مَن ماتَ مِنهُمْ؛ ولَمْ يَرْجِعْ أحَدٌ مِنهُمْ؟ غَيْرَ مُعَلِّلٍ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْءٍ مِن سُلُوكِ الوادِي؛ ولا غَيْرِهِ؛ فَإنَّ هَذا أمْرٌ مَعْلُومٌ لَهُ؛ غَيْرُ مُجَدِّدٍ فائِدَةً؛ وزِيادَةُ عَدَمِ الرُّجُوعِ إلى الدُّنْيا لا دَخْلَ لَها في العِلِّيَّةِ أيْضًا؛ لِأنَّ ذَلِكَ مَعْلُومٌ عِنْدَ المُخاطَبِينَ؛ بَلْ هم قائِلُونَ بِأعْظَمَ مِنهُ؛ مِن أنَّهُ لا حَياةَ بَعْدَ المَوْتِ؛ لا إلى الدُّنْيا؛ ولا إلى غَيْرِها؛ وعَلى تَقْدِيرِ التَّسْلِيمِ فَرُبَّما كانَ ذِكْرُ الرُّجُوعِ لِلْأمْواتِ أوْلى بِأنْ يَكُونَ تَهْدِيدًا؛ فَإنَّ كُلَّ إنْسانٍ مِنهم يَرْجِعُ حِينَئِذٍ إلى ما في يَدِ غَيْرِهِ؛ مِمّا كانَ ماتَ عَلَيْهِ؛ ويَصِيرُ المَتْبُوعُ بِذَلِكَ تابِعًا؛ أوْ يَقَعُ الحَرْبُ؛ وتَحْصُلُ الفِتَنُ؛ فَأفادَ ذَلِكَ أنَّهُ لا يَصْلُحُ التَّهْدِيدُ بِعَدَمِ الرُّجُوعِ؛ واللَّهُ المُوَفِّقُ لِلصَّوابِ.
The gist of all of the above is that the first part of the Ayat is admonition so the second part must also have the same connotations and that is why the Ayat should be translated as that don’t they see we have destroyed so many people before them since they did not return to their respective prophets from their false religions. Now this becomes a strong warning and admonition to the disbelievers that if you also disobey the Prophet ﷺ you will meet the same fate.
So I translated the Ayat as under:
36:31 Did they not see how many generations before them have We decimated, that (because) they did not come back (from their false religions) to them (the prophets)
Fiqh ud deen 