وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن وَلِىٍّ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۗ وَتَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ يَقُولُونَ هَلْ إِلَىٰ مَرَدٍّ مِّن سَبِيلٍ 44
Translations
And he whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no protector beyond Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying, "Is there for return [to the former world] any way?"
Transliteration
Wa man yudlil-allahu fa-ma lahu min waliyyin min ba'dihi, wa tara az-zalimina lamma ra'u al-adhaba yaquluna hal ila maraddim min sabil
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that whoever Allah causes to go astray has no protector or helper after that—their guidance is entirely withdrawn from them. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the second part depicts the scene on the Day of Judgment when the wrongdoers witness the punishment and desperately ask if there is any way to return to the worldly life, a plea that will be denied them. The ayah emphasizes both the absolute authority of Allah's will in guidance and misguidance, and the irreversible consequences of rejecting the truth in this world.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shuraa is Meccan and addresses the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This ayah appears in the context of discussing divine guidance versus misguidance, warning the disbelievers of the futility of their opposition and the inevitable punishment awaiting them if they persist in their denial.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When Allah wishes good for someone, He afflicts them with trials' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2396), which relates to the concept of divine will in testing. Additionally, the Quran warns in 4:137 about those who believe then disbelieve repeatedly—those whom Allah causes to go astray—reinforcing that persistent rejection leads to spiritual blindness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us of the critical importance of seeking and accepting divine guidance in this life, as once abandoned by Allah's mercy, no other refuge or protector exists. It should motivate sincere repentance and adherence to faith, knowing that the opportunity to return to righteousness in this world will not be granted in the next.
Related Ayahs
عٓسٓقٓ
ʿAyn, Seen, Qāf.
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَـٰٓؤُا۟ شَرَعُوا۟ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ ٱلْفَصْلِ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Or have they partners [i.e., other deities] who have ordained for them a religion to which Allāh has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.
تَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فِى رَوْضَاتِ ٱلْجَنَّاتِ ۖ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, and it will [certainly] befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens [in Paradise] having whatever they will in the presence of their Lord. That is what is the great bounty.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَقْبَلُ ٱلتَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَنِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do.