“Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth for mankind. Whoever is guided is guided for his own benefit, and whoever goes astray does so only to his own detriment. And you are not a guardian over them. (41) Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that have not died during their sleep. He retains those for whom He has decreed death and releases the others until an appointed term. Surely in this are signs for a people who reflect. (42)”

“And whoever Allah guides—none can lead astray. Is Allah not Almighty, capable of retribution?” He is invincible in His dominion and takes vengeance upon His enemies. “If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Then have you considered those you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intends harm for me’”—that is, hardship and affliction—“‘can they remove His harm? Or if He intends mercy for me’”—that is, blessing and grace—“‘can they withhold His mercy?’”

The people of Basra recited kashifātun and mumsikātun with nunation, and ḍurrahu and raḥmatahu with the rāʾ and tāʾ in the accusative. The others recited them without nunation, with the rāʾ and tāʾ in the genitive as possessive constructions. Muqātil said: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked them about this, but they remained silent. So Allah, Exalted is He, said to His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him: “Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me’” (1)—that is, my confidence is in Him and upon Him I rely—“‘In Him do those who place their trust put their trust’”: those who have confidence place their trust in Him.

“Say, ‘My people, act according to your position; I too am acting. You will soon come to know whom a humiliating punishment will befall and upon whom an everlasting punishment will descend.’” That is, a lasting punishment will descend upon him.

“Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth for mankind. Whoever is guided is guided for his own benefit, and whoever goes astray does so only to his own detriment.” The evil consequences of his misguidance fall upon himself. “And you are not a guardian over them”: you are not a keeper or watcher over them; you have not been charged with their affairs, nor will you be held accountable for them.

His saying, Exalted is He: “Allah takes the souls”—that is, the spirits—“at the time of their death”: He seizes them when their sustenance has been exhausted and their appointed terms have expired. By His saying, “at the time of their death,” He means the death of their bodies. “And those that have not died”: that is, He takes