Surah Al-An'am — Verse 117

Word Meanings:

• Yadillu (يَضِلُّ): To go astray, to deviate from the right path.
• Sabeelihi (سَبِيلِهِ): His path — meaning the path of Allah, which is the path of guidance, truth, and righteousness.
• Al-Muhtadeen (الْمُهْتَدِينَ): Those who are guided — the people who have found and followed the straight path.

Tafsir (Interpretation):

O Messenger, your Lord — and He alone — possesses perfect and absolute knowledge of all things. He knows with complete certainty who strays from His path, whether openly or in secret, and He knows the true state of every heart. No one's deviation is hidden from Him, nor is anyone's guidance unknown to Him. He is fully aware of both groups — those who turn away from His way and those who walk upon it with sincerity and steadfastness.

This verse carries a profound reassurance: you are not responsible for people's choices, nor are you accountable for their guidance. Your duty is only to convey the message clearly. The matter of who is guided and who is astray rests entirely with Allah, for He alone knows the depths of every soul, the sincerity of every intention, and the reality of every deed. He will reward each person according to what they deserve — the misguided will face the consequence of their deviation, and the guided will be honoured with His mercy and reward.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, this verse invites you to a moment of honest self-reflection. Allah, your Creator, knows you better than you know yourself. He sees the path you are walking — is it the path that leads to His pleasure and eternal success, or the path that leads to loss? The door of guidance is open before you, and Allah's knowledge of your state is not a cause for fear but a call to turn back to Him. He knows your struggles, your sincere efforts, and your moments of weakness. If you seek Him with an honest heart, He will guide you and count you among the muhtadeen — those who are honoured with His light in this world and His paradise in the next. Do not delay; every step you take towards Him is seen, known, and cherished by the One who loves to guide His servants.