Tafsir of Ash-Shura 42:30

"And whatever strikes you..."

In the codices of the people of Iraq: {فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ} (fa-bima kasabat), with the inclusion of the fa, implying the meaning of a conditional clause.

In the codices of the people of Medina: {بِمَا كَسَبَتْ} (bima kasabat), without the fa, treating ma as the subject (mubtada') and bima kasabat as the predicate, without implying a conditional meaning.

The verse is specific to criminals. It is not impossible for God to exact some of the criminal's punishment while pardoning the rest. As for those who have no crime—such as prophets, children, and the insane—if they are struck by pain or otherwise, it is for the sake of a full compensation and a greater benefit.

It is narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him):

"There is no twitching of a vein, nor a scratch from a stick, nor a stumble over a stone, except for a sin; and what God pardons is even more."

One scholar said: "Whoever does not know that the trials and calamities that reach him are due to his own earnings, and that what his Lord has pardoned is greater, has little insight into his Lord’s benevolence toward him."

Another said: "The servant is constantly committing offenses at every moment. His offenses in his acts of obedience are greater than his offenses in his acts of disobedience, because the offense of disobedience is from one angle, while the offense of obedience is from many angles. God purifies His servant from his offenses through various calamities to lighten his burdens on the Day of Resurrection. Were it not for His pardon and mercy, he would have perished at the first step."

It is narrated from Ali (may God be pleased with him), attributed to the Prophet:

"Whoever is pardoned in this world, he is pardoned in the Hereafter; and whoever is punished in this world, the punishment shall not be repeated upon him in the Hereafter."

Ali (may God be pleased with him) also said: "This is the most hopeful verse for the believers in the Quran."

{بِمُعْجِزِينَ} (bi-mu'jizin): Those who cannot escape what has been decreed for you of calamities. {مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ} (min duni Allahi min wali): No one who takes charge with mercy.

{And among His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains. If He wills, He stills the wind, and they remain motionless on its surface. Indeed, in that are signs for every patient, grateful one. Or He destroys them for what they earned; but He pardons much.}