(4) “We never sent a messenger except in the language of his people so that he might make the message clear to them. Allah then lets whomever He wills go astray and guides whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

This is part of His kindness toward His servants: He sent every messenger “in the language of his people so that he might make the message clear to them” concerning what they needed to know, thereby enabling them to learn what he brought. Had he spoken a language other than theirs, they would first have needed to learn the language he spoke before they could understand him. Once the messenger has made clear to them what they were commanded and forbidden to do, and Allah’s proof has been established against them, “Allah then lets whomever He wills go astray” from among those who do not submit to guidance, and guides whomever He wills from among those whom He singles out for His mercy.

“He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.” One manifestation of His might is that He alone guides and lets go astray, turning hearts however He wills. One manifestation of His wisdom is that He never assigns either His guidance or His leading astray except where it properly belongs.

This noble verse is also cited as evidence that the sciences of Arabic which serve to clarify the words of Allah and His Messenger are to be sought and are beloved to Allah, for what He revealed to His Messenger cannot be properly known without them—unless people are in a condition where they have no need of them. That is the case when they have become thoroughly proficient in Arabic, their children have grown up speaking it, and it has become second nature to them. They are then spared the effort of learning it and are able to receive directly from Allah and His Messenger, just as the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—did.