29. Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)

Period Uncertain

Asad’s Version:

29:12

And [He is aware, too, that] they who are bent on denying the truth speak [thus, as it were,] to those who have attained to faith: "Follow our way [of life], and we shall indeed take your sins upon ourselves!" 8 But never could they take upon themselves' aught of the sins of those [whom they would thus mislead]: behold, they are liars indeed!

29:13

Yet most certainly will they have to bear their own burdens, and other burdens besides their own; 10 and most certainly will they be called to account on Resurrection Day for all their false assertions!

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّبِعُوا سَبِيلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطَايَاكُمْ...

29:12. And the Unbelievers say to those who believe:

"Follow our path, and we will bear (the consequences) of your faults."

C3435. Besides the hypocrite there is another type of man who openly scoffs at Faith. 'Take life as we take it,' he says; 'we shall bear your sins.'

As if they could!

Each soul bears its own burdens, and no one else can bear them.

The principle also applies to the type of man who preaches vicarious atonement, for, if followed to its logical conclusion, it means both injustice and irresponsibility, and puts quite a different complexion on the nature of sin.

... وَمَا هُم بِحَامِلِينَ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُم مِّن شَيْءٍ...

Never in the least will they bear their faults:

...إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ ﴿١٢﴾

in fact they are liars!

وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالًا مَّعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْ...

29: 13. They will bear their own burdens, and (other) burdens along with their own,

C3436. Besides the burden of their own infidelity, they will bear the burden of deluding others with falsehood.

...وَلَيُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿١٣﴾

and on the Day of Judgement they will be called to account for their falsehoods.