Tafseer of The Jinn · Al-Jinn · 72:16
And [Allah revealed] that if they had remained straight on the way, We would have given them abundant provision
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: "And that, if they were to remain steadfast upon the Way, We would give them abundant water to drink" (72:16).
The Exalted, whose mention is exalted, says: and that, if these deviators (al-qāsiṭūn) were to remain steadfast upon the path of truth and the straight course, "We would give them abundant water to drink" — He says: then We would grant them ample provision and make them well-off in this worldly life — "in order to test them therein" — He says: in order to put them to the test therein.
The people of exegesis differed over the explanation of this. Some said something in the spirit of what we have said about it.
* Mention of who said that:
Muḥammad ibn Saʿd related to me, saying: my father related to me, saying: my uncle related to me, saying: my father related to me, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās, concerning His words: "And that, if they were to remain steadfast upon the Way, We would give them abundant water to drink" (72:16) — by steadfastness He means: obedience. As for the abundant (al-ghadaq): that is the pure, abundant water. "In order to test them therein" — He says: in order to put them to the test by means of it.
Ibn Bashshār related to us, saying: Muʾammal related to us, saying: Sufyān related to us, on the authority of ʿUbayd Allāh ibn Abī Ziyād, on the authority of Mujāhid: "And that, if they were to remain steadfast upon the Way" — the way of Islam — "We would give them abundant water to drink," he said: beneficial and abundant, then We would give them much wealth — "in order to test them therein" — until they return to the wretchedness that was preordained for them.
Isḥāq ibn Zayd al-Khaṭṭābī related to us, saying: al-Firyābī related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of ʿUbayd Allāh ibn Abī Ziyād, on the authority of Mujāhid, something similar.
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of ʿUbayd Allāh ibn Abī Ziyād, on the authority of Mujāhid: "And that, if they were to remain steadfast upon the Way," he said: the path of truth, "We would give them abundant water to drink," he says: much wealth, "in order to test them therein," he said: in order to put them to the test by means of it, until they return to the wretchedness that was preordained for them.
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of Ibn Mujāhid, on the authority of his father, something similar.
He said: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of ʿAlqama ibn Marthad, on the authority of Mujāhid: "And that, if they were to remain steadfast upon the Way," he said: Islam, "We would give them abundant water to drink," he said: the abundant.
