At-Tawbah: 115

"And Allah would not let a people go astray..." (That is, it is not consistent with the grace and bounties of Allah Almighty that He should characterize a people as being astray from the path of truth, condemn them, and apply His rulings upon them) "...after He has guided them..." (To Islam) "...until He makes clear to them..." (By means of revelation, whether explicitly or by implication) "...what they should avoid..." (Meaning, what is incumbent upon them to avoid from the prohibited matters of religion, so that they might refrain from what they were forbidden).

This serves as a consolation for those who sought forgiveness for the polytheists before the clarification was provided. It signifies that it is not of His grace—Exalted be He—to condemn the believers or hold them accountable for seeking forgiveness before He had explained that it is impermissible regarding one whose polytheism has been established; however, He—Glory be to Him—does condemn and hold accountable those who seek forgiveness for them after that clarification.

Regarding the occasion of the revelation, it is narrated from Al-Hasan that it was revealed when some Muslims died before the religious obligations were revealed. Their brethren said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is the status and condition of our brethren who died before the revelation of the obligations?"

According to Muqatil and Al-Kalbi, a group of people came to the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and grant him peace) before the prohibition of wine and the changing of the Qiblah toward the Ka'bah. They then returned to their people, after which wine was forbidden and the Qiblah was changed. They remained unaware of this until they arrived in Medina after some time and learned of it. They said: "O Messenger of Allah, you were upon a religion while we were upon another; are we then in a state of misguidance?" Thereupon, Allah Almighty revealed this verse.

Interpreting the "leading astray" mentioned herein as we have described is the manifest view, and it has nothing to do with the Mu'tazilite doctrine, contrary to what some have imagined. Perhaps it is for this reason that Al-Wahidi deviated from this interpretation, claiming the meaning is: "Allah would not have caused misguidance to enter their hearts."

The verse has been used as evidence that the unaware person—who has not heard the text or the scriptural evidence—is not religiously obligated (mukallaf). The Mu'tazilah restricted this to matters not known by reason, such as truthfulness in speech or the returning of trusts, for these are not contingent upon revelation in their view; this is a deduction based on their principle of rational beauty and ugliness (al-husn wa al-qubh al-'aqliyayn), concerning which the Sunnis have a differing position.

"...Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things." This provides the justification for what preceded; meaning, Allah Almighty is knowledgeable of all things, among which is their need for clarification, so He clarifies it for them. It is also said that it is a new sentence to emphasize the warning implied in the preceding part. The same applies to His—Glorified be He—statement...