Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): (36 - 37) Indeed, those who disbelieve...

Verse 36: {Indeed, those who disbelieve, if they had all that is in the earth and like it with it, to ransom themselves therewith from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them. And for them will be a painful punishment.}

There are several points to consider in this verse:

Issue 1: The pronoun reference in {to ransom themselves therewith} (li-yaftadū bihi).

• Question: Why is the pronoun singular (bihi) when the preceding text mentions "all that is in the earth and like it" (plural/dual concept)?
• Answer: The implied meaning is: "to ransom themselves with that which was mentioned."

Issue 2: The phrase {And for them will be a painful punishment} (wa lahum 'adhābun alīm).

• This phrase can be interpreted in two ways:
  1. As a circumstantial clause (ḥāl), describing their state.
  2. As a conjunction (‘aṭf) connected to the main statement (the rejection of ransom).

Issue 3: The purpose of this statement.

• The intent is to illustrate the inevitability of the punishment for them, as there is no way for them to escape it.
• It is narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him): "The disbeliever will be told on the Day of Resurrection: 'Did you see? If you possessed the earth full of gold, would you ransom yourself with it?' He will say, 'Yes.' Then it will be said to him: 'You were asked for something easier than that, but you refused.'"

Type Two: The Warning Mentioned in This Verse

There are two issues concerning this part:

Issue 1: Their desire to exit.

This desire can be understood in two ways:

1. Active Seeking: They actively intend and seek a way out of the Fire, as stated elsewhere: {Whenever they wish to exit from it from distress, they will be returned therein} (As-Sajdah: 2).
   • It is said that when the flames lift them high, they wish to exit at that point.
   • Or, they almost exit due to the intensity of the Fire pushing the punished ones out.
2. Desire in the Heart: They wish and desire this exit in their hearts, similar to the verse: {Our Lord, remove us from it} (Al-Mu'minūn: 107).
   • This second interpretation is supported by the reading (qirā’ah) of those who recite it with a ḍammah on the yā' (yurīdūna), implying a strong desire/will.

Issue 2: The implication regarding believers who committed sins.

• Our scholars (Ashābu-nā) use this verse as evidence that Allah will bring out of the Fire whoever sincerely said, "There is no god but Allah" (Lā ilāha illā Allāh).
• They argue that Allah made this statement a specific threat directed at the disbelievers and a type of severe warning reserved for them. If this meaning were not exclusive to the disbelievers, then specifying them would have no purpose.
• What supports this view is the phrase {and for them is an abiding punishment} (wa lahum 'adhābun muqīm). This implies exclusivity (ḥaṣr). The meaning is: "And for them is an abiding punishment, and not for others," just as {To you is your religion} (Al-Mā’idah: 3) means "To you, and not to others."

Verse 37: {The thief, male or female, so cut off their hands as recompense for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might, Wise.}