Al-A'raf (The Heights): Verse 186

Translation and Exegesis (Tafsir)

[186] Whoever Allah lets go astray, there is no guide for him...

Know that the Almighty has returned in this verse once more to describe the condition of the misguided deniers.

Know that our companions (the Ash'arites/Sunnis) use this verse as evidence that guidance (hudā) and misguidance (ḍalāl) originate from Allah, just as was established in the preceding verse. The interpretations of the Mu'tazila and our refutations thereof are as previously mentioned, so there is no benefit in repetition.

As for His saying: {and leaves them wandering in their transgression} (wa yadharuhum fī ṭughyānihim), the verb is in the nominative case (rafʿ) as a new, independent clause (isti'nāf), completely separate from what preceded it.

Abu 'Amr recited it as (wa yadhrauhum) with a yā' (for the verb) and a nominative rā' (for the verb), due to the preceding mention of the name of the Exalted Allah. Hamza and Al-Kisa'i recited it with a yā' and a jussive (jazm) for the rā'.

The justification for this latter recitation, according to Sibawayh, is that it is conjoined (ʿaṭf) to the position (mawḍiʿ) of the fā' and what follows it in the phrase: {there is no guide for him} (falā hādiya lah). Since the position of the fā' and what follows it is in the jussive case (as the response to the conditional particle), the verb {and leaves them} (wa yadhrauhum) is treated as if it were in the jussive case.

[187] They ask you about the Hour: "When is its final settling?" Say: "The knowledge of it is only with my Lord. None shall reveal it at its appointed time except He. It is heavy in the heavens and the earth. It will not come to you except suddenly." They ask you as if you are concerned about it. Say: "The knowledge of it is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know."