وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَمَسَخْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِهِمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَطَـٰعُوا۟ مُضِيًّا وَلَا يَرْجِعُونَ 67
Translations
And if We willed, We could have deformed them, [paralyzing them] in their places so they would not be able to proceed, nor could they return.
Transliteration
Wa-law nashaa' lamasakhnahum 'ala makaanatihim fama istata'oo mudiyyan wa la yarji'oon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah expresses Allah's absolute power over creation, stating that if He willed, He could paralyze people in their places, rendering them unable to move forward or backward. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as a rhetorical affirmation of divine omnipotence and as a warning about the consequences of rejecting Allah's signs. The ayah emphasizes that human free will and movement exist only by Allah's permission, and serves as a humbling reminder of human dependence on the Divine.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ya-Sin's broader theme addressing the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the Prophet Muhammad and the Message. The surah repeatedly emphasizes Allah's power, the reality of resurrection, and consequences of denial. This specific verse comes as part of a series illustrating various ways Allah could demonstrate His power over those who reject guidance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this verse, the concept relates to Surah Al-An'am 6:39 and prophetic teachings about divine decree. The general theme aligns with hadiths on qadr (divine decree) found throughout Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, particularly those emphasizing that no one moves except by Allah's will.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that all movement, ability, and agency are gifts from Allah and that without His will, humans are completely powerless. It should inspire humility, gratitude for our faculties, and awareness that our success in all endeavors depends ultimately on Allah's permission and aid.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنُطْعِمُ مَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ أَطْعَمَهُۥٓ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
And when it is said to them, "Spend from that which Allāh has provided for you," those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Should we feed one whom, if Allāh had willed, He would have fed? You are not but in clear error."
قِيلَ ٱدْخُلِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ ۖ قَالَ يَـٰلَيْتَ قَوْمِى يَعْلَمُونَ
It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know
إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ
When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened [them] with a third, and they said, "Indeed, we are messengers to you."
لَا ٱلشَّمْسُ يَنۢبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تُدْرِكَ ٱلْقَمَرَ وَلَا ٱلَّيْلُ سَابِقُ ٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
It is not allowable [i.e., possible] for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming.