Az-Zumar (The Groups)
Verse 41
Table of Contents
41. Indeed We have sent down unto you [for your Guidance] the Book [the Holy Qur’an] for mankind in truth. Therefore, whosoever accepts the Guidance, it is only for his ownself, and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his [own] loss. And you are not a guardian over people [so that you necessarily have to guide them].
Following an enumeration of the arguments for Divine Unity and an exposition of the fates of disbelievers and monotheists, the blessed Verse in question explicates the fact that they shall be rewarded or chastised for their acknowledgement or denial of Truth and if the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) insists on guiding them, it is not for his own benefit rather he fulfils his obligation toward God.
The Verse reads:
“We have sent down unto you [for your Guidance] the Book [the Holy Qur’an] for mankind in truth. Therefore, whosoever accepts the Guidance, it is only for his ownself, and whosoever goe3s astray, he goes astray only for his [own] loss.”
The blessed Verse further adds:
“You are not a guardian over people [so that you necessarily have to guide them].”
His duty is to proclaim his prophetic mission and also to warn them.
The fact that whoever treads the Path of Truth will reap the fruits thereof and whoever goes astray shall pay for the evil consequences thereof is oft-repeated in Qur’anic Verses which emphasizes that neither God nor His Prophet (S) need His servants’ belief nor are they afraid of their disbelief. God does not aim at gaining anything but He intends to show His Liberality to His servants.
The word wakil is ad hoc employed in the sense of someone responsible for converting those in error to faith.
The word is attested in the Holy Qur’an in the same clause or clauses similar to it which bear testimony to the fact that the Noble Prophet (S) is not obliged to convert people to the Islamic faith, since such conversion may not be attained through obligation, rather it is his duty to proclaim Divine Command to people at all times whether they turn to it or turn away from the same.