When God helps One to Fail ?

The following verses reveal when God actually helps one or let one to degrade and fail: these situations are extreme when one is full of self-deceit through hypocrisy, lying and arrogance. One initially chooses the wrong path and deliberately and stubbornly remains on the course refusing to consider any reason or sign to avail this most unfortunate outcome.

2. [al-Baqara, Medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ...

2: 8. Of the people there are some who say:

"We believe in Allah and the Last Day,"

C33. We now come to a third class of people, the hypocrites.

They are untrue to themselves, and therefore their hearts, they soon pass into the category of those who deliberately reject light.

... وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٨﴾

but they do not (really) believe.

يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا...

2: 9. Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe,

... وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُم وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٩﴾

but they only deceive themselves and realize (it) not!

فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّهُ مَرَضاً...

2: 10. In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease,

C34. The insincere man who thinks he can get the best of both worlds by compromising with good and evil only increased the disease of his heart, because he is not true to himself.

Even the good which comes to him he can pervert to evil. So the rain which fills out the ear of corn or lends fragrance to the rose also lends strength to the thorn or adds strength to the poison of the deadly nightshade.

... وَلَهُم عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿١٠﴾

and grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves).

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ ...

2: 11. When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth,"

... قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ ﴿١١﴾

they say: "Why, we only want to make peace!"

أَلا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـكِن لاَّ يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿١٢﴾

2: 12. Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize (it) not.

C35. Much mischief is caused (sometimes unwittingly) by people who think that they have a mission of peace, when they have not even a true perception of right and wrong.

By their blind arrogance they depress the good and encourage the evil.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُواْ كَمَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ ...

2: 13. When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe"

... قَالُواْ أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَا آمَنَ السُّفَهَاء ...

they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" --

... أَلا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَاء وَلَـكِن لاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٣﴾

nay,

of a surety they are the fools but they do not know.

C36. This is another phase of the hypocrite and the cynic.

"Faith" he says, "is good enough to fools."

But his cynicism may be the greatest folly in the eyes of Allah.

وَإِذَا لَقُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ قَالُواْ آمَنَّا...

2: 14. When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe,"

C37. A deeper phase of insincerity is actual duplicity. But it never pays in the end. If we compare such a man to a trader, he loses in the bargain.

... وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ إِلَى شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُواْ ...

but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say:

... إِنَّا مَعَكْمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِؤُونَ ﴿١٤﴾

"We are really with you, we (were) only jesting."

اللّهُ يَسْتَهْزِىءُ بِهِمْ ...

2: 15. Allah will throw back their mockery on them,

... وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ ﴿١٥﴾

and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro).

أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرُوُاْ الضَّلاَلَةَ بِالْهُدَى...

2: 16. These are they who have bartered guidance for error:

... فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَارَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٦﴾

but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction.

مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَاراً ...

2: 17. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire;

C38. The man wanted light; he only kindled a fire. It produced a blaze, and won the applause of all around. But it did not last long. When the flame when out as was inevitable, the darkness was worse than before. And they all lost their way.

So hypocrisy, deception, arrogant compromise with evil, cynicism, or duplicity may win temporary applause. But the true light of faith and sincerity is wanting, and therefore it must mislead and ruin all concerned. In the consternation they cannot speak or hear each other, and of course they cannot see; so they end like the deliberate rejecters of Faith (2:7), wildly groping about, dumb, deaf and blind.

... فَلَمَّا أَضَاءتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ ذَهَبَ اللّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ...

when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light

... وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ ﴿١٧﴾

and left them in utter darkness, so they could not see.

صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

2: 18. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاء فِيهِ ظُلُمَاتٌ وَرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ...

2: 19. Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky; in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning,

C39. A wonderfully graphic and powerful simile applying to those who reject Faith. In their self-sufficiency they are undisturbed normally.

But what happens when a great storm breaks over them?

They cover their ears against thunder-clasps and the lightning nearly blinds them. They are in mortal fear, but Allah encompasses them around - even them, for He at all times encompasses all.

He give them rope. In the intervals of deafening noise and blinding flashes, there are moments of steady light and these creatures take advantage of them, but again they are plunged into darkness.

Perhaps they curse; perhaps they think that the few moments of effective light are due to their own intelligence!

How much wiser would they be if they humbled themselves and sought the light of Allah!

... يَجْعَلُونَ أَصْابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِم مِّنَ الصَّوَاعِقِ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ...

they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death.

... واللّهُ مُحِيطٌ بِالْكافِرِينَ ﴿١٩﴾

But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!

يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ ...

2: 20. The lightning all but snatches away their sight;

... كُلَّمَا أَضَاء لَهُم مَّشَوْاْ فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُواْ...

every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still.

... وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ ...

And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing;

... إِنَّ اللَّه عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٠﴾

for Allah hath power over all things.

Other Versions:

2: 8

Asad And there are people who say, “We do believe in God and the Last Day, “the while they do not [really] believe.

Pickthall And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not.

Transliteration Wa minanna_si may yaqu_lu a_manna_ billa_hi wa bil yaumil a_khiri wa ma_ hum bimu'minin(a).

2: 9

Asad They would deceive God and those who have attained to faith-the while they deceive none but themselves, and perceive it not.

Pickthall They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not.

Transliteration Yukha_di'u_nalla_ha wallazina a_manu_, wa ma_ yakhda'u_na illa_ anfusahum wa ma_ yasy'uru_n(a).

2: 10

Asad In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase; and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent lying. (note 8)

Pickthall In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie.

Transliteration Fi qulu_bihim maradun, faza_dahumulla_hu maradu_(n), wa lahum 'azibun alim(un), bima_ ka_na_ yakzibu_n(a).

2: 11

Pickthall And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only.

Transliteration Wa iza_ qila lahum la_ tufsidu_ fil ard(i), qa_lu_ innama_ nahnu muslihu_n(a).

2: 12

Yusuf Ali Of a surety they are the ones who make mischief but they realize (it) not.

Pickthall Are not they indeed the mischief makers? But they perceive not.

Transliteration Ala_ innahum humul mufsidu_na wala_kil la_ yasy'uru_n(a).

2: 13

Asad And when they are told, “Believe as other people believe,” they answer, “Shall we believe as the weak-minded believe?” Oh, verily, it is they, they who are weak-minded – but they know it not!

Pickthall And when it is said unto them: Believe as the people believe, they say: Shall we believe as the foolish believe? Are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not.

Transliteration Wa iza_ qila lahuma_minu_ kama_ a_manan na_su qa_lu_ anu'minu kama_ a_manas sufaha_'(u), ala_ innahum humus sufahu_'u wa la_kil la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

2: 14

Pickthall And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock.

Transliteration Wa iza_ laqullazina a_manu_ qa_lu_a_manna_, wa iza_ khalau ila_ syaya_tinihim, qa_lu_ inna_ ma'akum, innama_ nahnu mustahzi'u_n(a).

2: 15

Pickthall Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in their contumacy.

Transliteration Alla_hu yastahzi'u bihim wa yamudduhum fi tugya_nihim ya'mahu_n(a).

2: 16

Asad [for] it is they who have taken error in exchange for guidance;

Pickthall These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided.

Transliteration Ula_'ikal lazinasy tarawuddala_lata bil huda_, fama_ rabihat tiaja_ratuhum wama_ ka_nu_ muhtadin(a).

2: 17

Pickthall Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire, and when it sheddeth its light around him Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see,

Transliteration Masaluhum kamasalil lazis tauqadana_ra_(n), falamma_ ada_'at ma_ haulahu_ zahaballa_hu binu_rihim wa tarakahum fi zuluma_til la_ yubsiru_n(a).

2: 18

Pickthall Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not

Transliteration Summum bukmun 'umyun fahum la_ yarji'u_n(a).

2: 19

Pickthall Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death. Allah encompasseth the disbelievers (in His guidance).

Transliteration Au kasayyibim minas sama_'i fihi zuluma_tuw wara'duw wabarq(un), yaj'alu_na asa_bi'ahum fi a_za_nihim minas sawa_'iqi hazaral ma_t(i), walla_hu muhitum bil ka_firin(a).

2: 20

Pickthall The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

Transliteration Yaka_dul barqu yakhtafu absa_rahum, kullama_ ada_'a lahum masyau fih(i), wa iza_ azlama 'alaihim qa_mu_, wa lau sya_'alla_hu lazahaba bisam'ihim wa absa_rihim, innalla_ha 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).

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6. Sura al-Anam

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نِبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ ...

6: 112. Likewise did We make for every Messenger an enemy, evil ones among men and Jinns,

C941. What happened in the history of the Holy Prophet happens in the history of all righteous men who have a Message from Allah. The spirit of evil is ever active and uses men to practice deception by means of highly embellished words and plausible excuses and objections.

Allah permits these things in His Plans. It is not for us to complain. Our faith is tested, and we must stand the test steadfastly.

...يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا...

inspiring each other with flowery discourses by way of deception.

...وَلَوْ شَاء رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿١١٢﴾

If thy Lord had so planned, they would not have done it:

so leave them and their inventions alone.

Other Versions:

6: 112

Asad And thus it is that against every prophet We have set up as enemies the evil forces from among humans as well as from among invisible beings that whisper unto one another glittering half-truths meant to delude the mind. But they could not do this unless your Sustainer had so willed; stand, therefore, aloof from them and from all their false imagery!

Pickthall Thus have We appointed unto every Prophet an adversary--devils of humankind and jinn who inspire in one another plausible discourse through guile. If thy Lord willed, they would not do so; so leave them alone with their devising;

Transliteration Wa kaza_lika ja'alna_ likulli nabiyyin 'aduwwan syaya_tinal insi wal jinni yu_hi ba'duhum ila_ ba'din zukhrufal qauli illa_ guru_ru_(n), wa lau sya_'a rabbuka ma_ fa'alu_hu fa zarhum wa ma_ yaftaru_n(a).

[[ Ali’s note - 941 What happened in the history of the Holy Prophet happens in the history of all righteous men who have a Message from God. The spirit of evil is ever active and uses men to practice deception by means of highly embellished words and plausible excuses and objections. God permits these things in His Plans. It is not for us to complain. Our faith is tested, and we must stand the test steadfastly. (6.112) ]]

[[ Asad’s note 98 - Lit., “embellished speech” or “varnished falsehood” (lane III, 1223) “by way of delusion” – i.e., half-truths which entice man by their deceptive attractiveness and cause him to overlook all real spiritual values (see also 25:30-31)……..The term “shayatin” (lit., “satans”), on the other hand, is often used in the Quran in the sense of evil forces inherent in man as well as in the spiritual world (cf. 2:14, and the corresponding note). According to several well-authenticated Traditions, quoted by Tabari, the Prophet was asked, “Are there satans from men?” – and he replied, “Yes, and hteye are more evil than the satans from among the invisible beings (al-jinn).” Thus, the meaning of the above verse is t hat every prophet has had to contend against the spiritual – and often physical – enmity of the evil ones who, for whatever reason, refuse to listen to the voice of truth and try to lead others astray.]]

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14. Surah Ibrahim

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يُثَبِّتُ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ...   

14: 27.  Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter;

...وَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ...

but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong:

...وَيَفْعَلُ اللّهُ مَا يَشَاء ﴿٢٧﴾

Allah doeth what He willeth.

C1903. His Will and Plan may be above comprehension, but will prevail over all things. It is not like the will of man, who may plan good things but is not necessarily able to carry them out.

Other Versions: