Surah al-Qasas (The Stories) 28 : 56

Overview (Verse 56)

Who Receives Guidance

The Prophet did not need to do more than recite a portion of the Qur’ān in his effort to present his faith to followers of earlier revelations and they accepted it. Yet with regard to his own people, the Prophet made every endeavour to help them see the light of faith, yet God did not open their hearts to it because of what He knew of them. The Prophet could not give guidance to everyone he wished. It is certainly God who guides those whom He knows to have the right attitude and mentality making them ready to accept the faith: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56)

It is reported in the two most authentic anthologies of Ĥadīth that this verse was revealed in reference to Abū Ţālib, the Prophet’s uncle who looked after him and gave him much support, extending his protection to him against the Quraysh so that he could deliver his message in peace. Indeed, he put up with much pressure and hardship that involved the Quraysh’s boycott of his own clan, the Hashimites, for three years when they were practically besieged in their own quarters. He did all this out of love for his nephew, Muhammad, and upholding the value of supporting one’s kindred in the face of adversity. When his death was approaching, the Prophet urged him to believe in God and accept Islam, but God did not facilitate this for Abū Ţālib because of something God, in His wisdom, knew.

Al-Zuhrī reports on the authority of Al-Musayyib ibn Ĥazn al-Makhzūmī: “When it was clear that Abū Ţālib was about to die, the Prophet went to see him and found Abū Jahl and `Abdullāh ibn Umayyah ibn al-Mughīrah with him. The Prophet said to him: “Uncle! Say: “There is no deity other than God,” and I will be able to give you good support in front of God.’ Abū Jahl and `Abdullāh said to him: Abū Ţālib! Would you abandon the religion of `Abd al-Muţţalib, your father?’ The Prophet continued to press him while the two unbelievers urged him to stick to his father’s faith. The last thing he said was: “I follow `Abd al-Muţţalib’s faith.’ He refused to say: “There is no deity other than God.’ The Prophet said: ‘I will certainly pray for your forgiveness unless I am ordered not to do so.’ God later revealed the verse that says: “It is not for the Prophet and the believers to pray for the forgiveness of those who associate partners with God, even though they may be their close relatives.” (9: 113) In reference to Abū Ţālib, He also revealed the verse that says: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56) [Related by al-Bukhārī and Muslim.]

Muslim also gives another version on the authority of Abū Hurayrah: ‘Whendeath was approaching Abū Ţālib the Prophet said to him: “Uncle! Say, “There is no deity other than God,’ and I will be your witness to it on the Day of Judgement.” He said: “If it was not for my fear that the Quraysh will shame me saying that it is only for the fear of death that I said it, I would certainly have pleased you by saying it. I would not do so except to give you that pleasure.’ Then the verse was revealed saying: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56) Further reports by Ibn `Abbās, Ibn `Umar, Mujāhid, al-Sha`bī and Qatādah confirm that the verse was revealed in reference to Abū Ţālib and that the last he said was: “I follow `Abd al-Muţţalib’s faith.’

It is amazing just how serious and strict this religion of Islam is. Abū Ţālib was the Prophet’s uncle. He had supported and protected him against all who tried to harm him. Yet he was not to be one of the believers. This despite his great love of the Prophet and the Prophet’s reciprocation of that love. Nor did the Prophet’s desire that his uncle accept Islam make any difference. The point is that Abū Ţālib gave all that he did to the Prophet out of paternal love and a sense of commitment to his kindred. Faith and its ties did not come into it. God was certainly aware of his motives; so he did not facilitate for him what the Prophet dearly wished. Thus, this aspect of guidance was not part of what the Prophet could have. It belongs to God’s will and His evaluation of the situation. The Prophet’s task is to deliver his message. Advocates of Islam in subsequent generations can only advise people. As for people’s hearts, these belong to God. Whether a person chooses guidance or error depends on what God knows of their feelings and what is in their hearts.

Overview (Verse 56)

Who Receives Guidance

The Prophet did not need to do more than recite a portion of the Qur’ān in his effort to present his faith to followers of earlier revelations and they accepted it. Yet with regard to his own people, the Prophet made every endeavour to help them see the light of faith, yet God did not open their hearts to it because of what He knew of them. The Prophet could not give guidance to everyone he wished. It is certainly God who guides those whom He knows to have the right attitude and mentality making them ready to accept the faith: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56)

It is reported in the two most authentic anthologies of Ĥadīth that this verse was revealed in reference to Abū Ţālib, the Prophet’s uncle who looked after him and gave him much support, extending his protection to him against the Quraysh so that he could deliver his message in peace. Indeed, he put up with much pressure and hardship that involved the Quraysh’s boycott of his own clan, the Hashimites, for three years when they were practically besieged in their own quarters. He did all this out of love for his nephew, Muhammad, and upholding the value of supporting one’s kindred in the face of adversity. When his death was approaching, the Prophet urged him to believe in God and accept Islam, but God did not facilitate this for Abū Ţālib because of something God, in His wisdom, knew.

Al-Zuhrī reports on the authority of Al-Musayyib ibn Ĥazn al-Makhzūmī: “When it was clear that Abū Ţālib was about to die, the Prophet went to see him and found Abū Jahl and `Abdullāh ibn Umayyah ibn al-Mughīrah with him. The Prophet said to him: “Uncle! Say: “There is no deity other than God,” and I will be able to give you good support in front of God.’ Abū Jahl and `Abdullāh said to him: Abū Ţālib! Would you abandon the religion of `Abd al-Muţţalib, your father?’ The Prophet continued to press him while the two unbelievers urged him to stick to his father’s faith. The last thing he said was: “I follow `Abd al-Muţţalib’s faith.’ He refused to say: “There is no deity other than God.’ The Prophet said: ‘I will certainly pray for your forgiveness unless I am ordered not to do so.’ God later revealed the verse that says: “It is not for the Prophet and the believers to pray for the forgiveness of those who associate partners with God, even though they may be their close relatives.” (9: 113) In reference to Abū Ţālib, He also revealed the verse that says: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56) [Related by al-Bukhārī and Muslim.]

Muslim also gives another version on the authority of Abū Hurayrah: ‘Whendeath was approaching Abū Ţālib the Prophet said to him: “Uncle! Say, “There is no deity other than God,’ and I will be your witness to it on the Day of Judgement.” He said: “If it was not for my fear that the Quraysh will shame me saying that it is only for the fear of death that I said it, I would certainly have pleased you by saying it. I would not do so except to give you that pleasure.’ Then the verse was revealed saying: “Indeed, you cannot guide aright everyone whom you love. It is God who guides whom He wills. He knows best those who are guided aright.” (Verse 56) Further reports by Ibn `Abbās, Ibn `Umar, Mujāhid, al-Sha`bī and Qatādah confirm that the verse was revealed in reference to Abū Ţālib and that the last he said was: “I follow `Abd al-Muţţalib’s faith.’

It is amazing just how serious and strict this religion of Islam is. Abū Ţālib was the Prophet’s uncle. He had supported and protected him against all who tried to harm him. Yet he was not to be one of the believers. This despite his great love of the Prophet and the Prophet’s reciprocation of that love. Nor did the Prophet’s desire that his uncle accept Islam make any difference. The point is that Abū Ţālib gave all that he did to the Prophet out of paternal love and a sense of commitment to his kindred. Faith and its ties did not come into it. God was certainly aware of his motives; so he did not facilitate for him what the Prophet dearly wished. Thus, this aspect of guidance was not part of what the Prophet could have. It belongs to God’s will and His evaluation of the situation. The Prophet’s task is to deliver his message. Advocates of Islam in subsequent generations can only advise people. As for people’s hearts, these belong to God. Whether a person chooses guidance or error depends on what God knows of their feelings and what is in their hearts.