Surah 22:16

"In this way We have sent it down as signs – clear signs – and because God guides whomever He wills."

Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (45)

The Reward of the Righteous Verses 22:14-16

Show Full Scripture Context (22:14-16) — 3 Verses

Verse 14

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدۡخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ

Surely God will cause those who believe and do righteous deeds to enter Gardens through which rivers flow. Surely God does whatever He wills.

Verse 15

مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ ٱللَّهُ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ فَلۡيَمۡدُدۡ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لۡيَقۡطَعۡ فَلۡيَنظُرۡ هَلۡ يُذۡهِبَنَّ كَيۡدُهُۥ مَا يَغِيظُ

Whoever thinks that God will not help him in this world and the Hereafter, let him stretch a rope to the sky. Then let him cut (it), and see whether his scheme will take away what enrages (him).

Verse 16

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِۭ بَيِّنَٰتٖ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهۡدِي مَن يُرِيدُ

In this way We have sent it down as signs – clear signs – and because God guides whomever He wills.

The mention of the misguided who are doomed is followed by mention of the righteous who are blessed. They are those who believe firmly in their hearts and confirm their faith by their actions, doing all kinds of righteous deeds and avoiding evil actions. Because of this, they will inherit dwellings in the lofty ranks of the gardens of Paradise. So Allah tells us that He sends those astray and guides these, and says:

Quoted Scripture

"Verily, Allah does what He wills."

Allah will definitely help His Messenger

Ibn 'Abbas said, "Whoever thinks that Allah will not help Muhammad in this world and the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope

{to the ceiling} to the ceiling in his house.

{and let him strangle himself.} let him hang himself with it." This was also the view of Mujahid, 'Ikrimah, 'Ata', Abu Al-Jawza', Qatadah and others. The meaning is: whoever thinks that Allah will not support Muhammad and His Book and His Religion, let him go and kill himself if it annoys him so much. For Allah will most certainly help and support him. Allah says:

{Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth.} [40:51].

Allah says here:

Quoted Scripture

"Then let him see whether his plan will remove that whereat he rages!"

As-Suddi said, "Meaning, in the case of Muhammad." 'Ata' Al-Khurasani said, "Let him see whether that will cure the rage he feels in his heart."

{Thus have We sent it down} the Qur'an.

{as clear Ayat,} clear in its wording and its meaning, evidence from Allah to mankind.

Quoted Scripture

"and surely, Allah guides whom He wills."

He sends astray whomsoever He wills and He guides whomsoever He wills, and He has complete wisdom and definitive proof in doing so.

{He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.} [21:23].

Because of His wisdom, mercy, justice, knowledge, dominion and might, no one can overturn His ruling, and He is swift in bringing to account.

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 6, Page 536-539)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.

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