(11) “He has”—that is, every human being has—“successive guardians” among the angels, who take turns by night and day.

“They are before him and behind him, guarding him by Allah’s command.” That is, they protect his body and soul from anyone who intends him harm, and they record and preserve his deeds. They remain with him constantly. Just as Allah’s knowledge encompasses him, Allah has appointed these guardian angels over His servants, so that none of their circumstances or deeds remains hidden and nothing is forgotten.

“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people”—their blessings, well-being, and comfortable life—“until they change what is within themselves” by turning from faith to disbelief, from obedience to disobedience, or from gratitude for Allah’s blessings to insolent ingratitude. Allah then takes those blessings away from them.

Likewise, when people change what is within themselves by abandoning disobedience and turning to obedience to Allah, He changes their state of misery into goodness, joy, happiness, and mercy. “When Allah wills harm for a people”—that is, punishment, hardship, or anything they dislike—His will must inevitably be carried out against them.

“Then” indeed “none can avert it,” and no one can protect them from it. “They have no protector besides Him” to take charge of their affairs, bring them what they desire, and ward off what they dislike. They should therefore beware of persisting in what Allah dislikes, lest a punishment befall them that cannot be averted from a sinful people.