| Al Imran: (196-197) Let not the going about...

And know that when the Almighty promised the believers a great reward, while they were in the utmost poverty and hardship in this world, and the disbelievers were in comfort, Allah Almighty mentioned this verse to console and make them patient regarding that hardship. He said: {Let not the going about...} (La yaghurrannaka taqallub...). There are several issues concerning this:

Issue 1: The Meaning of "Yaghurrannaka" (Let it deceive you)

We have previously mentioned that ghurur (deception) is the verbal noun derived from saying: Gharartu al-rajula (I deceived the man) with what he finds appealing on the surface, but upon investigation, he finds it contrary to what he likes. Thus, one says: Gharrahu dhahiruhu (Its outward appearance deceived me), meaning: I accepted it hastily without testing it. The Arabs also say regarding a reward that is displayed and then folded back: Raddadtuhu 'ala ghurrah (I returned it on a whim/in haste).

Issue 2: Who is Addressed in {Let not the going about...}?

There are two opinions:

1. It addresses the Messenger (PBUH), but the intent is the Ummah (community). Qatadah said: "By Allah, they did not deceive the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) until Allah took him in death." Although the address is to him, the intended recipient is someone else. It could be argued that the reason the Messenger (PBUH) was not deceived by this is the constant revelation of these verses to him, as stated: {And had We not made you firm, you would have almost inclined to them a little} (Al-Isra: 74). Thus, Qatadah's statement is refuted. Similar examples include: {And Noah was not of the disbelievers} (Hud: 42), {And never be of the polytheists} (Al-An'am: 14), and {And do not obey the deniers} (Al-Qalam: 8).
2. It is an address to every accountable person who hears it. It is as if it is said: "Let not the going about deceive you, O hearer."

Issue 3: The Meaning of "The going about of those who disbelieve in the lands"

There are two interpretations:

1. It was revealed concerning the polytheists of Mecca, who used to trade and enjoy prosperity. Some believers said: "The enemies of Allah are seen in well-being, while we are afflicted by hunger and hardship." So, this verse was revealed.
2. Al-Farra' said: The Jews used to travel in the land and acquire wealth, so this verse was revealed. The meaning of "the going about of those who disbelieve in the lands" is their movement in trade and earnings. That is, let not their security in themselves and their free movement in the lands deceive you, while you, O community of believers, are fearful and restricted. For this [ease] will only last for a short period, then they will move to the severest punishment.

Then the Almighty said: {A brief enjoyment} (Mata'un qalil). It is said: Their going about is a brief enjoyment. Al-Farra' said: That enjoyment is brief. Al-Zajjaj said: That earning and profit is a brief enjoyment. It is described by Allah Almighty as brief because the pleasure of this world is mixed with afflictions and regrets, and ultimately, it ceases and ends. How could it not be brief when it was non-existent from eternity until now, and it will become non-existent from eternity to eternity? When the time of its existence is compared to what preceded and what will follow—eternity and perpetuity—it is less than what can be described as "brief."

Then the Almighty said: {Then their refuge will be Hell} (Thumma ma'wahum jahannam). Meaning, despite its brevity, it leads to the Fire of Hell for eternal duration. A brief blessing, if it becomes the cause of a great harm, is no longer considered a blessing. This is like His saying: {We only grant them respite so that they may increase in sin} (Al Imran: 178), and {And I give them respite. Indeed, My plan is strong} (Al-A'raf: 183).

Then He said: {And wretched is the resting place} (Wa bi'sa al-mihad), meaning the bed/couch. The evidence that it is a wretched resting place is His saying: {They will have coverings of fire above them and coverings of fire beneath them} (Az-Zumar: 16). So they are between layers of fire, and above them are coverings, eating fire and drinking fire.