وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ يَنصُرُونَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن سَبِيلٍ 46
Translations
And there will not be for them any allies to aid them other than Allāh. And whoever Allāh sends astray - for him there is no way.
Transliteration
Wa mā kāna lahum min awliyā'a yansurūnahum min dūni-llāh. Wa man yudlil-i-llāhu fa-mā lahū min sabīl.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that the disbelievers will have no protectors or helpers besides Allah to defend them from His punishment, and whoever Allah leaves astray will have no way to guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a stern warning about the futility of relying on false deities, worldly power, or companions when facing divine judgment. Al-Tabari notes that this ayah underscores the absolute sovereignty of Allah and that abandonment by Him constitutes a complete loss of all means of salvation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Ash-Shuraa, which addresses the polytheists of Mecca and their attachment to idols and false protectors. It contextualizes the broader Meccan message about monotheism and divine warning, specifically within a passage discussing those who reject consultation (shura) and guidance from Allah's signs.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'No one can help or protect against Allah's punishment.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah reports: 'Whoever Allah leads astray, none can guide him,' reflecting the Quranic theme of divine guidance and misguidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine security and success come only through Allah's favor and guidance, not through reliance on false deities, wealth, or worldly allies. It serves as a reminder for believers to seek only Allah's protection and to remain grateful for His guidance, while cautioning against complacency or the assumption that any worldly means can substitute for divine mercy.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ فَإِذًا لَّا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ نَقِيرًا
Or have they a share of dominion? Then [if that were so], they would not give the people [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.
وَهُوَ ٱلْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
And He is the subjugator over His servants. And He is the Wise, the Aware.
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ
Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars] and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.