Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:12

"And those who disbelieved said..."

They commanded them to follow their path, which is the way they were upon in their religion. They also commanded themselves to bear their sins. The command is conjoined to the command, intending that these two matters should occur together: "Follow our path, and we shall bear your sins."

The meaning is the suspension of the bearing [of sins] upon the following [of their path]. This was the statement of the leaders of Quraysh; they used to say to those among them who believed: "We shall not be resurrected, nor shall you. But if it were to happen, we will bear your sins for you."

I see among those who call themselves Muslims some who emulate them, saying to their companions when they wish to encourage them to commit grave sins: "Do this, and its sin is upon my neck." How many of the weak and ignorant masses are deceived by such a guarantee!

From this is the story told that some man of the Hashw (the literalists/commoners) brought his needs to Abu Ja'far al-Mansur. When he fulfilled them, the man said: "O Commander of the Faithful, the greatest need remains." He asked: "And what is it?" He replied: "Your intercession on the Day of Resurrection." Amr ibn Ubayd (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him: "Beware of these people, for they are highway robbers in a place of safety."

If you ask: How did He label them as liars when they only guaranteed something that Allah knew they were unable to fulfill? A guarantor of something he does not know he can fulfill is not called a liar, neither at the time of the guarantee nor at the time of failure, because in both cases he does not fall under the definition of a liar—which is one who reports something contrary to how it is.

I say: Allah likened their state—since He knew there was no way for them to fulfill what they guaranteed—to the state of liars, because their report was not in accordance with the reality of the matter. It is also possible that He meant they are liars because they said it while their hearts were the opposite, like liars who promise something while intending to break it.

"And they will surely carry their burdens..." That is, the burdens of their own selves.

"...and burdens along with their burdens..." Meaning other burdens besides the sins they guaranteed to bear for the believers; these are the burdens of those whom they caused to go astray.

"...and they will surely be questioned..." A questioning of rebuke.

"...about what they used to invent." That is, what they fabricated of lies and falsehoods.

(It is also recited: "min khati'atihim" - from their sins).

"And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years less fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers. But We saved him and the companions of the ship, and We made it a sign for the worlds."