30 Ar-Rum (The Byzantines)

Mecca Period [6-7 years before Hijra]

Asad’s Version:

30:29 But nay - they who are bent on evildoing follow but their own desires, without having any knowledge [of the truth].- And who could guide those whom God has [thus] let go astray, and who [thereupon] have none to succour them? 24

[[ Asad’s notes -

24 For an explanation of God's "letting man go astray", see note 4 on the second sentence of 14:4, as well as note 7 on 2:7. ]]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

بَلِ اتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَهْوَاءهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

30: 29. Nay, the wrongdoers (merely) fellow their own lusts, being devoid of knowledge.

...فَمَن يَهْدِي مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ...

But who will guide those whom Allah leaves astray?

C3539. The wrong-doers-those who deliberately reject Allah's guidance and break Allah's Law-have put themselves out of the region of Allah's mercy. In this they have put themselves outside the pale of the knowledge of what is for their own good. In such a case they must suffer the consequences of the personal responsibility which flows from the grant of a limited free-will.

Who can then guide them or help them?

...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٢٩﴾

To them there will be no helpers.