يَوْمَ تُوَلُّونَ مُدْبِرِينَ مَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۗ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ 33
Translations
The Day you will turn your backs fleeing; there is not for you from Allāh any protector. And whoever Allāh sends astray - there is not for him any guide.
Transliteration
Yawma tuwalloona mudbireena ma lakum mina Allahi min aasim, wa man yudlil Allahu fama lahu min haad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when the disbelievers will turn back in flight, yet they will find no protector or helper from Allah to save them from His punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this depicts the helplessness of those who rejected Allah's guidance—just as they turned away from the truth in this world, they will turn away in despair on the Day of Resurrection. The second clause reinforces that whoever Allah causes to go astray (as a consequence of their own rejection) will have no guide to lead them to salvation.
Revelation Context
Surah Ghafir is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This ayah appears in the context of Prophet Musa's sermon to his people, warning them about the consequences of disbelief and turning away from Allah's signs. It serves as a timeless warning to those who reject divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever Allah leaves to go astray, none can guide.' (Hadith Qudsi, recorded in Sahih Muslim and Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This directly echoes the second part of 40:33 about those whom Allah leaves astray having no guide.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that turning away from Allah's signs in this life leads to ultimate abandonment on the Day of Judgment; we must take heed of divine guidance while we have the opportunity. It serves as a powerful reminder that no wealth, power, or ally can save us from Allah's justice if we persist in rejecting His truth.