Tafseer of The Romans · Ar-Room · 30:29
But those who wrong follow their [own] desires without knowledge. Then who can guide one whom Allah has sent astray? And for them there are no helpers.
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 explanation of the words of the Exalted: بَلِ اتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَهْوَاءَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَمَنْ يَهْدِي مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ نَاصِرِينَ (29) (Nay, those who do wrong follow their desires without knowledge. Who then can guide him whom Allah has led astray? And they will have no helpers.) (29)
The Exalted, whose mention is exalted, says: It is not so, and these polytheists (mushrikīn) did not associate the gods and the idols with Allah in worship because they have partners in that with which Allah has provided them of what their right hands possess (mulk al-yamīn) — such that they and their slaves (ʿabīd) would be equal therein, and they would fear that they would have to share with them that in which these are their partners, and they would for that reason be content on Allah's behalf with that with which they are content for themselves, and would thus make them partners in His worship. Nay, but those who wronged themselves and disbelieved in Allah followed their desires, out of ignorance of Allah's right over them, and thus made the gods and the idols partners in His worship.
فَمَنْ يهْدِي مَنْ أضَلَّ اللهُ (Who then can guide him whom Allah has led astray?). He says: who then can guide to the right of the ways — that is to say: who can guide to Islam — him whom Allah has caused to stray from the right course and the right path? وَما لَهُمْ منْ ناصرِينَ (And they will have no helpers.). He says: and he whom Allah has led astray will have no helpers who help him and thus save him from the misguidance with which the Exalted, whose mention is exalted, tries him.
