أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ 46
Translations
Or that He would not seize them during their [usual] activity, and they could not cause failure [i.e., escape from Him]?
Transliteration
Aw ya'khuzuhum fee taqallubihim fama hum bimu'jizeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's ability to seize the disbelievers during their movements and activities in daily life, and they will be unable to escape or resist His punishment. Ibn Kathir explains that this demonstrates Allah's omnipotence and the futility of attempts to evade divine justice, whether the punishment comes suddenly or gradually. The ayah emphasizes that no place, time, or circumstance can provide refuge from Allah's decree for those who reject His signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl, which addresses the themes of divine mercy, provision, and warnings against disbelief and polytheism. The broader context (16:45-46) discusses various ways Allah may seize wrongdoers—whether through sudden punishment, gradual punishment during their daily movements, or other means—reinforcing that divine punishment is inescapable.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself,' emphasizing God's justice and oversight. Additionally, Surah An-Nahl's theme connects to the hadith about divine punishment in At-Tirmidhi regarding those who turn away from Allah's signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah is aware of all our movements and circumstances, encouraging constant consciousness of His presence (taqwa) and discouraging any sense of security in wrongdoing. It serves as a powerful deterrent against sin and a reassurance that divine justice ultimately prevails, whether in this life or the hereafter.
Related Ayahs
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad] - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ ۖ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
And when those who associated others with Allāh see their "partners," they will say, "Our Lord, these are our partners [to You] whom we used to invoke [in worship] besides You." But they will throw at them the statement, "Indeed, you are liars."
وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ۙ لَا يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ ۚ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they swear by Allāh their strongest oaths [that] Allāh will not resurrect one who dies. But yes - [it is] a true promise [binding] upon Him, but most of the people do not know.