Transliteration:( Laisa laka minal amrishai'un aw yatooba 'alaihim aw yu'az zi bahum fa innahum zaalimoon )
"This matter is not in your [276] hands; whether He turns towards them or punishes them, because they are indeed wrongdoers [277]."
This verse was revealed when the Holy Prophet ﷺ cursed the disbelievers responsible for the massacre of the Companions at the Well of Ma’oonah. The disbelievers had treacherously deceived and martyred a group of dedicated Sahabah. It was in this context that Allah revealed this verse to stop the Holy Prophet ﷺ from invoking curses upon them.
However, this does not imply disapproval of earlier Prophets who had cursed disbelievers for destruction, as that was also a divinely sanctioned response to severe injustices. The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to invoke such curses during the Qunoot-e-Naazilah (a supplication done after the ruku of the second raka’at of Fajr prayer). But in light of this verse, the practice of Qunoot-e-Naazilah for this purpose was annulled.
This verse does not mean that the Holy Prophet ﷺ lacks the authority or spiritual capacity to curse the disbelievers. Rather, it emphasizes that cursing is contrary to his exalted status, because he is sent as a mercy unto mankind. The decision to guide or punish rests with Allah alone, and the verse underscores the Prophet’s merciful mission over vengeance, even against wrongdoers.
The tafsir of Surah Imran verse 128 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Imran ayat 126 which provides the complete commentary from verse 126 through 129.
(3:128) (O Messenger!) It is not for you to decide whether He will accept their repentance or chastise them, for they surely are wrongdoers.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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