Tafsir of Al-Ghashiyah 88:23

Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88): Verse 23

إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ

(Except one who turns away and disbelieves.)

Issue 1: The Nature of the Exception (Istithnā')

There are two main views regarding this exception:

View 1: It is a genuine, connected exception (Istithnā' Haqīqī).

Under this view, the exception relates to the preceding statement ("You are not over them a controller" - implied from verse 22). There are two possibilities for what is being excepted:

1. The implied context: The meaning is: "So remind, except for one who turns away and disbelieves."
2. The pronoun in 'alayhim (over them): The meaning is: "You are not a controller over them, except for one who turns away."
   • Objection: The Prophet (PBUH) was not commanded to fight them at that time.
   • Response: Perhaps the intended meaning is that you will not remain in a position of authority or dominance except over those who turn away (i.e., those who will eventually be dealt with).

*View 2: It is a disconnected exception (Istithnā' Munqaṭi').*

This means the exception is separate from what preceded it, similar to saying: "We sat recalling knowledge, except that many people do not desire it."

• Here, the meaning is: "You are not responsible for them [to force belief], but whoever among them turns away, Allah will punish him with the Greatest Punishment (Hellfire)."
• Sign of a disconnected exception: It is appropriate to insert anna (that) after the exception. You can say: "Except that one who turns away and disbelieves, Allah will punish him." This is unlike a connected exception, where you would not say: "I have two hundred dirhams, except that one dirham."

Issue 2: Recitations (Qirā'āt)

1. It has been recited as: أَلَا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ (with Alā used for alerting/drawing attention).
2. In the recitation of Ibn Mas'ud, it is recited as: فَإِنَّهُ يُعَذِّبُهُ (Then indeed, He punishes him).

Issue 3: Why is it called the "Greatest Punishment" (Al-'Adhāb Al-Akbar)?

There are several reasons suggested:

1. It reaches the limit of the punishment for disbelief (Kufr), which is the greatest sin. The punishment for lesser sins (like Fisq - transgression) is less severe. This is supported by the verse: "And We will surely make them taste the nearer punishment before the greater punishment" (Surah As-Sajdah, 21).
2. It is the punishment in the lowest level of the Fire (the lowest Darak).
3. It might refer to the punishment inflicted in this world: This includes killing, enslavement of offspring, and confiscation of wealth.

Conclusion: The first view (that it is the ultimate punishment for disbelief) is the most sound and closest to the intended meaning.

إِنَّ إِلَيْنَا إِيَابَهُمْ * ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُمْ

**(Indeed, to Us is their return. Then indeed, upon Us is their reckoning.)*