Tafsir of As-Sajdah 32:18

"Is then he who was a believer..."

• {كان مؤمنا} (was a believer) and {كان فاسقا} (was a transgressor) are grammatically linked to the singular noun man (whoever).
• {لا يستوون} (they are not equal) is linked to the meaning (plurality), as evidenced by His saying: {As for those who believed... and as for those who transgressed}. A similar example is: {And among them are those who listen to you, until when they depart from you...} (Muhammad: 16).

{جنات المأوى} (Gardens of Refuge)

• This is a specific type of Paradise. Allah says: {He saw him another time, at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, near which is the Garden of Refuge} (an-Najm: 13-15).
• It is named so because it is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the souls of the martyrs find refuge there. It is also said to be located to the right of the Throne. It is also recited in the singular: (Jannat al-Ma'wa).

{نزلا} (as a reward/hospitality)

• A gift given in return for their deeds. Nuzul originally refers to the gift given to a guest upon arrival, then it became a general term.

{فمأواهم النار} (Their refuge is the Fire)

• Meaning: their shelter and dwelling place. It is also possible that the meaning is: "Their 'Garden of Refuge' is the Fire," meaning the Fire is their place instead of the Garden of Refuge that the believers have. This is like His saying: {Give them tidings of a painful punishment} (Al Imran: 21).

{العذاب الادنى} (The nearer punishment)

• The punishment of this world, such as killing, captivity, and the seven-year drought they were afflicted with. Mujahid (may Allah be pleased with him) said it refers to the punishment of the grave.

{العذاب الاكبر} (The greater punishment)

• The punishment of the Hereafter. Meaning: We make them taste the punishment of this world before they reach the Hereafter.

{لعلهم يرجعون} (That they might return)

• Meaning: that they might repent from disbelief, or that they might desire to return and seek it, as in His saying: {So return us [to the world] that we might do righteousness} (as-Sajdah: 12).
• The desire to return is called "returning," just as the desire to stand is called "standing" in His saying: {O you who have believed, when you rise [to prayer]...} (al-Ma'idah: 6). This is supported by the recitation of those who read it as (yurja'un) in the passive voice.

[Theological Note on 'Lalla' (That/Perhaps)]

• If you ask: How is it valid to interpret "returning" as repentance, when lalla (perhaps) from Allah implies an intention, and if Allah intends something it must occur—yet their repentance does not occur?
• I reply: Allah’s intention relates to His own actions and the actions of His servants. If He intends His own actions, they occur without fail due to His power. As for the actions of His servants, He either intends them while they are choosing them, or while they are compelled. If He intends them while compelling them, they are like His own actions. If He intends them while they are choosing, but He knows they will not choose them, this does not diminish His power. Just as it does not diminish your power if you intend for your servant to choose obedience, but he does not choose it; his choice is not subject to your power, and its absence does not indicate your inability.

[Occasion of Revelation]

• It is narrated that a dispute occurred on the day of Badr between Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and al-Walid ibn Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt. Al-Walid said to him: "Be silent, for you are but a boy. I am younger than you in age, stronger in body, sharper in tongue, keener in spear, braver in heart, and more filled in the ranks."
• Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "Be silent, for you are a transgressor (fasiq)."
• The verse was revealed generally for all believers and transgressors, encompassing both of them and anyone in their state.
• Al-Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) said to al-Walid: "How can you insult Ali when Allah has named him a 'believer' in ten verses, and named you a 'transgressor'?"

{And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord; then he turns away from them? Indeed We, from the criminals, will take retribution.}