An-Nahl (The Bee)

25. “That they must bear their burdens entirely on the Day of Resurrection and (also) some of the burdens of those whom they lead astray without knowledge. Beware! Evil it is what they bear!”

This verse deals with the pioneers of paganism who, in this life, lead the people astray with their falsified propaganda. Therefore, in the Hereafter they must shoulder the burden of their own sins as well as those whom they have seduced and caused to deviate from the straight path.

As some Islamic quotations indicate: He who founds a deviating path, must share the punishment of all those who are deviants in it; and he who leads others in the right direction will also share in the rewards accorded to those who are seeking the truth without being at a disadvantage as far as his own share is concerned; and beware that the former are shouldering the worst kind of responsibilities.

The holy verse says:

“That they must bear their burdens entirely on the Day of Resurrection and (also) some of the burdens of those whom they lead astray without knowledge. Beware! Evil it is what they bear!”

The reason why this case happens is that their word will sometimes seduce thousands of people. How difficult it is that one adds to his own punishment by suffering not only for his own sins but also sharing in the sins of thousands of others.

Moreover, when their misleading words stay and serve as sources of the seduction of future generations, they will also have to suffer for their sins which are extra to those of their own.

Incidentally, the cause of most deviations is ignorance, and the enemy utilizes that ignorance to achieve his own goals. Nevertheless, ignorance cannot serve as an excuse and does not acquit one from the punishment for his guilt.

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