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Tafsir of Al-An'am 6:48-49

Surah Al-An'am 6:48

ﱴ ﱵ ﱶ ﱷ ﱸ ﱹ ﱺ ﱻ ﱼ ﱽ ﱾ ﱿ ﲀ ﲁ ﲂ ﲃ

And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. So whoever believes and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

Tafsir

Mafatih al-Ghayb

Verse range: 6:48-49

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Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle): Verses 48-49

Contextual Note: Previously, the disbelievers demanded a sign from the Lord (as mentioned in verse 37). Allah responded with numerous arguments. This verse clarifies the true role of the Messengers.

Verse 48:

{And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners.}

The purpose of sending Messengers is solely to give glad tidings of reward for obedience and to warn of punishment for sin. They do not possess the power to manifest signs or miracles; that is entrusted to the will, word, and wisdom of Allah Almighty.

{So whoever believes and reforms, there will be no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.}

This refers to those who accept their message, performing the belief (the action of the heart) and righteous deeds (the action of the body).

{But those who deny Our signs—the torment will touch them for their persistent defiance (Fisq).}

Exegesis on Punishment and Sin (Fisq):

The word mass (touching/afflicting) in language implies contact without separation.

Al-Qadi (the Judge) noted that Allah attributes the torment of the disbelievers to their Fisq (defiance/wickedness). This implies that every defiant person should face this consequence.

However, this seems to contradict the specific warning directed only at those who deny the signs. This raises two points:

  1. If all sinners face this warning, why single out those who deny the signs? This suggests that those who do not deny the signs might not face this specific threat at all.
  2. If the torment is caused by their Fisq, why equate the Fisq of someone who acknowledges Allah, affirms Tawhid (monotheism), prophethood, and the Hereafter, with the Fisq of someone who denies all these fundamentals? (Allah knows best.)

Verse 49:

{Say, "I do not tell you that I possess the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I follow only what is revealed to me." Say, "Are the blind and the seeing equal? Will you not then reflect?"}

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is commanded to state clearly:

  1. He does not control the treasures of Allah.
  2. He does not possess knowledge of the Unseen (al-Ghayb).
  3. He does not claim to be an angel.
  4. His sole basis for action and speech is the revelation sent down to him.

The verse concludes with an appeal to reason: Are the blind (those who cannot perceive the truth) equal to the seeing (those who can)? Will you not use your intellect to ponder this difference?