Tafsir of Ibraheem 14:47

Surah Ibrahim (14): Verse 47

[47] Do you then think that Allah will fail in His promise to His Messengers?

Exegesis:

Know that the Almighty has stated in the previous verse: {And do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers are doing} (Ibrahim: 42). And He states in this verse: {Do you then think that Allah will fail in His promise to His Messengers?}

The purpose of this is to alert [mankind] that if Allah did not establish the Resurrection and did not take vengeance for the oppressed against the wrongdoers, it would necessitate either that He is unaware (as implied by the previous verse) or that He fails in His promise. Since it is established in sound intellects that both are impossible, the assertion that He will not establish the Resurrection is false.

His statement {fail in His promise to His Messengers} refers to His saying: {Indeed, We will surely support Our Messengers} (Ghafir: 51) and {Allah has decreed, "I will surely overcome, I and My Messengers"} (Al-Mujadilah: 21).

A Question Raised: Why was it phrased as {fail in His promise to His Messengers} (Mukhlifa wa'dahu Rusulahu), placing the second object before the first, instead of saying "fail His Messengers in His promise"?

The Answer: This ordering is to establish that He does not fail in the promise at all—indeed, Allah never fails in His appointments. Then, He mentioned {His Messengers} to indicate that since Allah does not fail any promise, and it is not His nature to break appointments, how much less likely is it that He would fail His Messengers, who are His chosen ones and the elite of His creation?

There is a variant reading where {Rusulahu} (His Messengers) is in the genitive case (majrur) and {Wa'dahu} (His promise) is in the accusative case (mansub), implying: "failing His Messengers in their promise." This reading is considered weaker, similar to the weak reading of "killing their children, their partners" (in another context).

Then He said: {Indeed, Allah is 'Aziz} (Mighty), meaning He is the Overcomer, who cannot be outmaneuvered, possessing vengeance for His allies.

[48] On the Day the earth will be changed to another earth and the heavens [as well], and they will have emerged before Allah, the One, the Prevailing.

[49] And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in chains.

[50] Their garments will be of tar (pitch), and fire will cover their faces.

[51] That Allah may recompense every soul for what it has earned. Indeed, Allah is swift in taking account.

[52] This is a message for mankind, that they may be warned thereby and know that He is but one God, and that those of understanding will be reminded.