Tafseer of Mary · Maryam · 19:75
Say, "Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension [in wealth and time] until, when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour [of resurrection] - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers."
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The Exalted says to His Prophet Muhammad: "Say, O Muhammad, to these polytheists (mushrikīn) who associate partners with their Lord and who say, when Our verses are recited to them: which of the two groups has a better dwelling place and a finer assembly — whoever of us and of you is in error and deviates from the way of righteousness, and treads a path other than the way of guidance, let the All-Merciful prolong him with a far-reaching prolongation": He says: let Allah grant him long life in his error and leave him at large therein.
In accordance with what we have said concerning this, the people of tafsīr also spoke.
* Mention of those who said that:
Muhammad ibn ʿAmr related to me, saying: Abū ʿĀṣim related to us, saying: ʿĪsā related to us, on the authority of Ibn Abī Najīḥ, on the authority of Mujāhid, concerning His word فِي الضَّلالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَنُ مَدًّا (in error, let the All-Merciful prolong him with a far-reaching prolongation): let Allah leave him to act as he will in his transgression.
Al-Ḥārith related to me, saying: al-Ḥasan related to us, saying: Warqāʾ related to us, on the authority of Ibn Abī Najīḥ, on the authority of Mujāhid — to the same effect.
Al-Qāsim related to us, saying: al-Ḥusayn related to us, saying: Ḥajjāj related to me, on the authority of Ibn Jurayj, on the authority of Mujāhid — to the same effect.
And His word حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا السَّاعَةَ (until they see what they are promised — either the punishment or the Hour): the Exalted says: say to them: whoever of us and of you is in error, let the All-Merciful leave him long in his error — until the command of Allah befalls them, either a swift punishment (ʿadhāb), or that they meet their Lord at the coming of the Hour, which Allah has promised His creation that He would gather them for. For when the promise of Allah befalls them with one of these two matters, فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَكَانًا (then they will know who is worse in position) — and in dwelling, of you and of them — وَأَضْعَفُ جُنْدًا (and weaker in troops): is it they or is it you? Then they will understand which of the two groups has a better dwelling place and a finer assembly.
