Transliteration:( Wa qaalal lazeee aamana yaa qawmit tabi'ooni ahdikum sabeelar rashaad )
"And he who believed said: 'O my people! Follow me, I will guide [105] you to the way of goodness.'"
The believing man from Pharaoh's family—a secret follower of Musa (peace be upon him)—encouraged his people to follow him as he followed Musa. His words, "Follow me, I will guide you," indicate that his path was aligned with Divine guidance, and thus, following him meant walking the path of righteousness.
This shows a key Islamic principle: Obedience to those firmly grounded in knowledge and truth leads to Divine guidance. Just as obeying the Prophet is obeying Allah, following qualified scholars and righteous guides—especially during the Prophet’s time—was considered a continuation of following the Prophetic path.
The Companions who were not jurists used to follow the judgment of those among them who had deep understanding (fiqh). This verse indirectly confirms the legitimacy of analogy (Qiyās) and informed reasoning by jurists when direct revelation or Prophetic tradition is silent on a matter.
The well-known hadith about Hazrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) being sent to Yemen reinforces this: when asked how he would judge, he responded with a hierarchy—first the Qur’an, then the Sunnah, and finally his own reasoning. The Prophet ﷺ was pleased, indicating that well-informed reasoning rooted in revelation is part of true guidance.
Thus, this verse not only shows the importance of sincerity in calling others to truth, but also emphasizes that religious leadership and guidance—when aligned with Divine will—is a means of reaching salvation.
38. And the man who believed said: “O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct.” 39. “O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but an enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” 40. “Whoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof; and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein without limit.”
This believer said to his people who persisted in their rebellion and transgression, and preferred the life of this world:
(O my people! Follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct.) This is in contrast to the false claim of Fir`awn:
(and I guide you only to the path of right policy.) Then he sought to make them shun this world which they preferred to the Hereafter, and which had prevented them from believing in the Messenger of Allah, Musa, peace be upon him. He said:
(O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but an enjoyment,) meaning, it is insignificant and fleeting, and soon it will diminish and pass away.
(and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.) means, the abode which will never end and from which there will be no departure, which will be either Paradise or Hell. Allah says:
(Whosoever does an evil deed, will not be requited except the like thereof;) means, one like it.
(and whosoever does a righteous deed, whether male or female and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise, where they will be provided therein without limit.) means, the reward cannot be enumerated, but Allah will give an immense reward without end. And Allah is the Guide to the straight path.
(40:38) The person endowed with faith said: “My people, follow me; I shall direct you to the Path of Rectitude.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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