Tafseer of The Jinn · Al-Jinn · 72:10
And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course.
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.
They said: listening in has been barred to us. He said to them: indeed, the heaven was never guarded except for one of two matters: either for a punishment that Allah wills to send down upon the inhabitants of the earth, suddenly; or for a Prophet who points to the right way and brings reform. He said: that is the word of Allah: ( And that we do not know whether evil is intended for those who are on the earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them ).
His word: ( And that we do not know whether evil is intended for those who are on the earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them ) He, mighty and exalted, says, reporting about the words of this company of the jinn: and we do not know whether Allah wills to send down a punishment upon the inhabitants of the earth, by barring us from listening in from the heaven and striking whoever of us listens there with the flaming meteors, ( or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them ) He says: or whether their Lord intends guidance for them, in that He raises up among them a Messenger who points to the right way and guides them to the truth. And this interpretation is in agreement with the interpretation that we previously mentioned from Ibn Zayd.
And from al-Kalbī there is reported concerning that what follows:
Bishr related to us, he said: Yazīd related to us, on the authority of al-Kalbī, concerning His word: ( And that we do not know whether evil is intended for those who are on the earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them ): that they obey this Messenger so that He guides them rightly, or disobey him so that He destroys them.
And we have only chosen the first interpretation, because His word: ( And that we do not know whether evil is intended for those who are on the earth ) follows upon His word: ( And that we used to sit on places thereof to listen ) ... the verse; so that this is the completion of the account of that which precedes it and is adjacent to it is more fitting than that it should be the completion of the report of that which stands far from it.
