Tafseer No. 22
Tafseer No.22
(Sura Yaseen, Verse 66 – 67)
Sura Yaseen goes further in verse 66 and states:
وَلَوْ نَشَاءُ لَطَمَسْنَا عَلَىٰ أَعْيُنِهِمْ فَاسْتَبَقُوا الصِّرَاطَ فَأَنَّىٰ يُبْصِرُونَ
- And if it had been Our Will, We would surely have wiped out (blinded) their eyes, so that they would struggle for the Path, how then would they see?
The verse explains that if Allah had willed, He would have blinded them and then they would have struggled to find a path. But then, how would they be able to see at that time? While commenting on this verse, Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A) says, it means that Allah is saying, ‘If We had so wished, We could have made them blind to guidance. Then, they would never be able to be guided to the path of truth.’ (Tafseer Al Qurtubi, Vol.15, Pg.47, Maktaba Rasheediya, Queta Pakistan)
Other great commentators like Hasan Basri have stated that, it means if Allah had so wished, He would have blotted out their eyes and leave them in a state of blindness, wobbling and staggering in their movements. (Tafseer Ibn Kathee,r Vol.5, Pg.290, Dar Al Kitab Al Arabiya, Beirut 2013)
Qatada has stated, it means that if Allah had so wished, he would have left them in the state of blindness, wavering from side to side. (Tafseer At Tabari, Vol.23, Pg.32, Dar Ihya At Turath Al Arabi)
After quoting various commentaries of the great exegetes of the Quran, Hafiz Ibn Jareer At Tabari (A.R) concludes by saying, ‘The opinions of Hasan Basri and Qatada are closer to the explanation and interpretation of the verse. It is so because (in this verse) Allah has threatened the unbelievers. Hence, there is no reason for Allah to say, ‘If We had so wished We would have misguided them’, when they were already misguided (unbelievers). But the message (of threat) to them is that Allah has stated, ‘If We had so wished, We would have punished them for their disbelief and blotted out their eyes, so they would become blind, not able to see the pathway, nor would they be guided to the right path.’ (Tafseer At Tabari, Vol.23, Pg.32, Dar Ihya At Turath Al Arabi, Beirut 2001)
This explanation has also been endorsed by Imam Qurtubi in his commentary. While discussing the verse, he said, ‘The meaning of the verse is that Allah has stated, ‘If We had so wished, We would have made them blind. In this way, they would not be able to see the path in discharging their duties and functions by going to their homes or other places.’ (Tafseer Al Qurtubi, Vol.15, Pg.47, Maktab Rasheedya)
Thus, the verse sends a message to the unbelievers that Allah is All Powerful over mankind. He can punish people in whatever manner He likes, and besides the punishment in the Hereafter, He can also punish people in this world. Hence, if it is His will, He can obliterate the eyes of the unbelievers for their Kufr and Shirk, and leave them in total blindness. This is not difficult for Him to do.
Allah says in verse 67:-
وَلَوْ نَشَاءُ لَمَسَخْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِهِمْ فَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا مُضِيًّا وَلَا يَرْجِعُونَ
- And if it had been Our Will, We could have transformed them (into animals or lifeless objects) in their places. Then they should have been unable to go forward (move about) nor they could have turned back.
In this verse, Allah explains that He can punish the wrongdoers in different ways, whenever He wishes to do so. In the previous verse, He mentioned that if He wanted, He could have made them blind, and they would not have been able to see anything. In this verse, He mentions that if He wished, He can transform them into other creatures. He has full control over them, and hence, on account of their disbelief and shirk, He can change their appearance and transfigure them into pigs and apes, just as He did with previous nations. In this way, they would be totally deprived of their senses and abilities, and will then be unable to move about.
While commenting on this verse, Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A) says, ‘It means that if Allah wishes, He can destroy them in their homes and residences.’ (Tafseer Al Qurtubi, Vol.15, Pg.48, Maktaba Rasheediya, Queta, Pakistan / Tafseer At Tabari, Vol.23, Pg.34, Dar Ihya Turath Al Arabi, Beirut)
Other commentators have explained that it means that if Allah had wished, He would have transfigured them at the places where they have committed the sins. It is also possible that this may occur on the Day of Judgment when Allah will blot out the eyes of the unbelievers while they are crossing the bridge, as stated by some Scholars. (Tafseer Al Qurtubi , Vol.15, Pg.48, Maktaba Rasheediya, Queta, Pakistan)
A famous commentary of this verse which has been given by Hasan and Qatada is that Allah says, ‘If it had been Our will, We would have made them sit on their feet. In this way, they would not have been able to move forward or backward.’ (Tafseer At Tabari, Vol.23, Pg.33, Dar Ihya At Turath / Tafseer Al Qurtubi, Vol.15, Pg.48, Maktaba Rasheediya)
The above were threats given by Allah to those who continue to remain upon disbelief.