Tafsir of Muhammad 47:3

Translation of Mafatih al-Ghayb (Fakhr al-Din al-Razi)

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 3

Issue 1: The Meaning of Al-Bāṭil (Falsehood)

There are several interpretations for Al-Bāṭil:

1. That which cannot possibly exist (The Impossible): This is because the disbelievers followed a deity other than God, and any deity other than God is impossible to exist—it is the ultimate falsehood (Bāṭil). Bāṭil means non-existence. That which cannot exist and can never become real is the utmost falsehood. Conversely, Al-Ḥaqq (The Truth) is that which cannot cease to exist, which is God Almighty, as Ḥaqq means existence, and that which cannot cease to exist is the utmost established reality.
2. Satan: This is evidenced by the verse: {I will surely fill Hell with you and those among them who follow you, all of them} (Qur'an 7:85). This shows Satan is followed, and the disbelievers are his followers. In this context, Al-Ḥaqq is God, as God sets the party of God in opposition to the party of Satan.
3. The sayings of their chiefs and the religion of their forefathers: As stated by them: {Nay! We only follow what we found our fathers following} (Qur'an 43:22). In this case, Al-Ḥaqq is what the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed from God.
4. Everything other than God: Because Al-Bāṭil (falsehood) and Al-Hālik (that which perishes) mean the same thing, and {Everything is perishable except His Face} (Qur'an 28:88). On this view, Al-Ḥaqq is also God Almighty.

Issue 2: Addressing a Potential Objection

If someone asks: "If Al-Ḥaqq is God Himself (as per interpretation 1), how does the phrase {the truth from their Lord} make sense?"

Answer: In this case, the phrase {from their Lord} is not connected to Al-Ḥaqq. Rather, it is connected to the command {Follow}. It means: "Follow the command of your Lord," or "Follow the truth which is the guidance/favor from your Lord," and that truth is God, the Exalted.

Issue 3: How Can the Non-Existent Be Followed?

If Al-Bāṭil is the non-existent that cannot exist, how can it be followed?

Answer: When they claimed they acted for the idols, believing these idols were deities that would reward them, they were following something in their own estimation. In reality, there was no follower (i.e., no real object of worship being followed).

Issue 4: Comparing the Command to Follow Truth/Falsehood

The verse commands the believers to {Follow the truth from their Lord} and the disbelievers to {Follow falsehood} (i.e., their idols or Satan).

Regarding the idols: They have no speech or intellect. When God makes them speak (on the Day of Judgment), they will deny the actions attributed to them, as God says: {And on the Day of Resurrection, they will deny your associating [others with Him]} (Qur'an 35:14) and {And they were disbelievers in their worship} (Qur'an 46:6). Yet, God accepted their actions and confirmed them in them (in this worldly life).

Alternative Interpretation: The phrase {from their Lord} might refer back to both commands: "From their Lord, these followed falsehood, and from their Lord, these followed the truth," meaning, according to the decree of their Lord, and originating from their Lord.

Issue 1: What Example is Being Struck?

What specific example is God striking for which He says, {Thus does God strike examples for the people}?

There are two main views:

1. The example is the misguidance of the deeds of the disbelievers and the expiation of the sins of the righteous.
2. The example is the disbeliever following falsehood, and the believer following the truth.

Two other possibilities exist:

1. If we hold that {from their Lord} means "from their Lord," then these followed falsehood and those followed the truth. This serves as a comprehensive example for all examples, as everything—misguidance, expiation, following, etc.—originates from God.
2. Since God clarified that He causes the deeds of the disbeliever to go astray, and He expiates the sins of the believer, and there is a clear opposition between disbelief and faith (as they are opposites), this verse draws attention to the cause. The cause is not merely the opposition/difference itself, but rather the following of Truth versus following Falsehood. Once the cause is known, two actions that appear similar in form and reality might result in different outcomes: one leading to the nullification of deeds, the other to the expiation of sins, because one involves following the Truth and the other following Falsehood. For instance, someone who outwardly professes faith but harbors disbelief internally, versus someone who truly believes in their heart. Their outward actions might look the same, but they differ due to following Truth or Falsehood. Nullifying deeds occurs for the one who outwardly shows faith because falsehood is on their side. It is as if God is saying: Disbelief and Faith are two models where two rulings are established, and their cause is known: following Truth or Falsehood. Therefore, know that every matter where the Truth is followed is accepted and rewarded, and every matter where Falsehood is followed is rejected and punished. This makes the principle general for all examples. Furthermore, the word {Thus} (Kadhālik) does not necessarily require a previously struck example. It means that since God has clarified the state of the disbeliever (deeds going astray) and the believer (sins expiated) and explained the cause for both, this clarification itself is the ultimate elucidation. Thus, {Thus} means: "Like this clear explanation, God strikes examples for the people and clarifies their states."

Issue 2: To Whom Does the Pronoun in {their examples} Refer?

There are two views:

1. It refers to all people (Al-Nās). God strikes examples for the people concerning themselves.
2. It refers to the two groups previously mentioned (believers and disbelievers). It means: God strikes examples for the people by illustrating the states of the two preceding groups.

Surah Muhammad (47): Verse 4