Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)

27. “And those who disbelieve say: ‘Why has a sign not been sent down upon him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘Verily Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills and guides unto Himself whomever turns (to Him in repentance)’.”

As there are so many topics of discussion concerning monotheism, resurrection and the mission of prophecy of the Prophet (S) included in this Surah, this verse deals once again with the Prophet of Islam’s call, discussing one of the criticisms of those obstinate dissidents, saying that the pagans claim why it is that no miracle has been bestowed upon him from his Lord as they demanded.

The verse says:

“And those who disbelieve say: ‘Why has a sign not been sent down upon him from his Lord?’…”

They expect that the Prophet (S) sits in isolation as an extraordinary being while each one of them calls on him and asks him to perform a miracle he must bring it on their request. No sooner they ask for the miracle than he has performed. Even, not withstanding that, they do not accept the faith if they are willing to do so!

Responding them, the Qur’an answers that the Prophet should tell them that Allah lets whomever He wants go astray, and whoever returns to Him will be led by Him.

The verse continues saying:

“…Say: ‘Verily Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills and guides unto Himself whomever turns (to Him in repentance)’.”

Allusion is made to the fact that their deficiency is not a matter of miracles; rather that their deficiency is from within themselves. Their obstinacy, fanaticism, ignorance, and the sins which hinder and obstruct the road to success, cause them to disbelieve.

Anyway, every prophet must have a sign from his Lord to prove his claim of his prophetic mission, which is called ‘miracle’. This miracle is naturally in some particular and identical affairs.

But those obstinate persons who did not intend to accept the truth, asked the Prophet (S) for miracles on their own request based upon their whims. Were they to stop being obstinate, the Qur’an by itself would provide them with the greatest miracle.

Sometimes, food and water is detrimental to the sick. However, this harm does not imply that there is anything wrong with the food or water. On the contrary, it is for the sake of their illness.

Certainly, those who are mentally sick, in accepting the Divine and pure verses are upset like the ones whose body is ill, for they will be provoked as soon as they are confronting the truth, and they become obstinate immediately following its presentation, then they turn away from the Truth. And this is the very meaning of /yudill/ (leaves to stray) mentioned in the verse.

A Discussion on Leading and Misleading

Divine leadership is of two kinds: the primary leadership and the supplementary leadership.

The Divine leadership concerns all mankind

The Qur’an says:

“Verily We showed him the Way…”1

However, supplementary leadership only concerns those who have already accepted the former general guidance. For instance, take the case of a teacher who offers his course in an identical and monotonous way to all his students. After sometime, he tends to do more favor to those of his students who are more strenuous and hard-working.

The Qur’an says:

“And (as for) those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance…”2

And there are those who refuse to accept all the Divine verses as the Qur’an says about them.

“And there never came unto them any sign from the signs of their Lord but they turned away from it…”3 “And had We sent down unto you a book, written on a paper, so that they touched it with their own hands, certainly (still) the disbelievers would have said: ‘That is naught but a manifest sorcery’.”4 “…And (even) if they witness a miracle, they will not believe in it…”5

Would there be any other way of dealing with them except restraining them from favors and stamping them with the discarding seal?

Anyway, Allah is Wise and Just and He does all according to:

“…He guides whomever He pleases…”6

and,

“…leaves to stray whomever He wills…”7

and

“…Allah provides with sustenance for whomever He wills…”8

and

“He will forgive him whom He wills”

and

“He will punish whom He wills…”9

and

“He creates whatever He pleases…”10

All the above are to be rendered into the basis of His Justice, Wisdom, Grace, and Favour.

That is, once He says:

“…He guides whomever He pleases…”

it does not imply that He leads, regardless of all criteria, whomever He wants.

As one can conclude, from other verses, on one occasion He considers ‘Faith’ as the condition for being led, saying:

“…and whomever believes in Allah, He guides aright his heart…”11

Elsewhere, securing of consent of Allah along with taking the right path are deemed necessary for being led.

It says:

“With it Allah guides whomever follows His pleasure into the ways of safety…”12

Or once He says:

“…He leaves to stray whomever He wills…”13 ,

in another verse, He considers immoderation, hesitation and skepticism as factors for such a case of being misled.

It says:

“…Allah misleads him who is extravagant, a doubter.”14

Anyway, if the opening of a container faces the sky the rain will enter into it, but if the opening of it faces the earth, it will not be filled with any rain and snow. So is the case with the man whose soul aspires towards material things. It is obvious that such a person will not benefit from the Divine spirituality.

The Qur’an says:

“That (Divine wrath) is because they have preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter, and definitely Allah does not guide the infidel people.”15

Explanations

The obstinate pagans often demand new miracles every moment. The issue in question is not an outstanding miracle. Rather, it is their inherent enmity.

“…Why has a sign not been sent down upon him…”

Allah’s way of treatment is concerned with leading all people:

“Verily, it is incumbent on Us to lead (them).”16

However, if someone took to the deviant path, Allah would ascribe to him his punishment in the form of being misled.

“…Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills…”.

Submission and humility in face of Allah is the key to one’s salvation and guidance

“…and guides unto Himself whomever turns (to Him in repentance).”

Leading people is up to Allah, yet His leading will be confined to those who show their preparedness already for His leadership.