Tafsir of Muhammad 47:25

Translation of Mafatih al-Ghayb Excerpt

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 25

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ارْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَارِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَتْ لَهُمُ الْهُدَى} (Indeed, those who revert to disbelief after the guidance has become clear to them...)

This refers to the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitāb) for whom the truth regarding the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his prophethood, and his characteristics was already evident in the Torah, yet they turned back (apostated).

Alternatively, it refers to everyone upon whom the proofs became clear and whom heard them but did not believe. These were a group whose love for leadership prevented them from following Muhammad (PBUH), even though they knew he was the truth.

{الشَّيْطَانُ سَوَّلَ لَهُمْ} (Satan made it seem appealing to them...)

This means Satan facilitated their actions for them.

{وَأَمْلَى لَهُمْ} (...and prolonged their hopes for them.)

This means they said: "We will live for a few days, and then we will believe in him."

There is also a variant reading: {وَأُمْلِيَ لَهُمْ} (wa umlī lahum - passive voice).

Addressing the Variant Reading:

If one argues that granting respite (imlā’) and setting time limits (ijāl) can only be done by God, how can the reading where Satan is the one granting respite (amlā lahum - active voice) be valid?

The answer is twofold:

1. It is possible that God is the one who granted the respite (amlā lahum), and the preceding clause, {سَوَّلَ لَهُمْ} (Satan made it appealing), stands alone.
2. Alternatively, Satan is not the true agent of the respite. Rather, this action is attributed to him because God ordained that it should occur through his hand and tongue. Thus, Satan suggests to them and says: "You have ample time in your lifespan; enjoy your leadership, and in the end, you will believe."

(Note: The text also mentions a third reading: {وَأُمْلِيَ لَهُمْ} (wa umlīya lahum) with the yā’ opened and the hamza prefixed, indicating the passive voice.)

Verse 26

{ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا لِلَّذِينَ كَرِهُوا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ سَنُطِيعُكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَمْرِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِسْرَارَهُمْ} (That is because they said to those who hated what Allah had sent down, "We will obey you in some matters." And Allah knows their secrets.)

This [apostasy] is because they said to those who detested what Allah revealed (i.e., the Jews or the disbelievers): "We will obey you in some of the affair."

And Allah knows what they conceal in their innermost selves (their secrets).