Al-Ahqaf · Ayah 32

وَمَن لَّا يُجِبْ دَاعِىَ ٱللَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُعْجِزٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَيْسَ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءُ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ 32

Translations

But he who does not respond to the Caller of Allāh will not cause failure [to Him] upon earth, and he will not have besides Him any protectors. Those are in manifest error."

Transliteration

Wa man laa yujib daa'iy-allaahi fa laysa bi mu'jizin fil-ardi wa laysa lahu min doonih awliyaa'. Ulaa'ika fi dalalin mubin.

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah condemns those who reject Allah's call and refuse to respond to His guidance, stating that such people cannot escape Allah's power on earth and have no protectors besides Him. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as emphasizing that rejection of Allah's message is both spiritually destructive and practically futile—those who refuse guidance are in manifest error and cannot find refuge from Allah's judgment. The ayah highlights the consequences of turning away from divine invitation: neither worldly strength nor false allies can shield the rejecter from ultimate accountability.

Revelation Context

Surah Al-Ahqaf is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the Quraysh. This particular ayah addresses the arrogance of those who rejected the Prophet's call to monotheism, asserting that their refusal would bring no benefit. The broader context of the surah deals with themes of belief, disbelief, and the consequences of each, particularly addressing the idol-worshippers of Mecca who believed their wealth and alliances could protect them.

Related Hadiths

The hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim (2864) wherein the Prophet said: 'Whoever Allah wishes to guide, He expands his breast for Islam; and whoever He wishes to leave astray, He makes his breast tight and constricted, as though he were climbing up to the sky.' This relates to the spiritual state described in 46:32 of those refusing Allah's guidance. Additionally, the hadith in Tirmidhi about the punishment of those who turn away from remembrance of Allah connects thematically to this ayah's warning.

Themes

Rejection of Divine GuidanceConsequences of DisbeliefFutility of Resistance to AllahAccountability on the Day of JudgmentFalse Allies and ProtectorsManifest Error

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches that refusing Allah's call is neither brave nor strategic—it is a self-destructive path with no real protection or benefit. Modern readers should recognize that true security and success come only through responding to Allah's guidance, and that worldly power or relationships cannot substitute for divine favor and mercy.

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