أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 22
Translations
Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?
Transliteration
Afamman yamshi mukibban ala wajhihi ahyda amman yamshi sawiyyan ala siratin mustaqim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical question comparing two states: one who walks while falling on his face (spiritually blind and astray), versus one who walks upright on a straight path (guided and righteous). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret the first condition as metaphorical blindness and spiritual misguidance, while the second represents those who follow divine guidance. The ayah emphasizes that true guidance leads to upright behavior and clear vision of truth, while deviation results in spiritual ruin.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mulk, a Meccan chapter focused on Allah's sovereignty and the signs of His creation. It comes within a section contrasting the guided with the astray, serving as a powerful rhetorical question to the polytheists of Mecca who rejected the Prophet's message despite clear signs. The metaphor directly challenges their spiritual condition and lack of discernment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad,' and in various hadiths he warned against following desires that lead one astray from the straight path. Also relevant is the hadith emphasizing that whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and vice versa (foundational to understanding hidayah/guidance).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that true guidance manifests in upright, conscious living aligned with divine truth, while straying from guidance leads to spiritual degradation and moral collapse. It calls believers to regularly assess whether they are walking on the straight path or have become spiritually blind to divine signs.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَىٰنِى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
Or [lest] it say, "If only Allāh had guided me, I would have been among the righteous."
وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَآئِرٌ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
And upon Allāh is the direction of the [right] way, and among them [i.e., the various paths] are those deviating. And if He willed, He could have guided you all.
أَوْ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ فِى بَحْرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ يَغْشَىٰهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَآ أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُۥ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَىٰهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ
Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allāh has not granted light - for him there is no light.
وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ ۗ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ
And whoever Allāh guides - for him there is no misleader. Is not Allāh Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution?