ٱلنِّسَاء : ٨٨

  • فَمَا So what
  • لَكُمۡ (is the matter) with you
  • فِي concerning
  • ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ the hypocrites (that)
  • فِئَتَيۡنِ (you have become) two parties
  • وَٱللَّهُ While Allah
  • أَرۡكَسَهُم cast them back
  • بِمَا for what
  • كَسَبُوٓاْۚ they earned
  • أَتُرِيدُونَ Do you wish
  • أَن that
  • تَهۡدُواْ you guide
  • مَنۡ whom
  • أَضَلَّ is let astray
  • ٱللَّهُۖ (by) Allah
  • وَمَن And whoever
  • يُضۡلِلِ is let astray
  • ٱللَّهُ (by) Allah
  • فَلَن then never
  • تَجِدَ will you find
  • لَهُۥ for him
  • سَبِيلٗا a way
What is [the matter] with you [that you are] two groups concerning the hypocrites,1 while Allāh has made them fall back [into error and disbelief] for what they earned.2 Do you wish to guide those whom Allāh has sent astray? And he whom Allāh sends astray - never will you find for him a way [of guidance].3
Footnotes
1 i.e., divided between two viewpoints - whether or not they should be fought and killed.
2 As the result of their disobedience and disloyalty.
3 Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) leaves or sends astray those who choose to reject His guidance.
When a group retreated from Uhud, people were at variance over their status. Some said, 'Let us slay them', while others said, 'No!' So the following was revealed: What is wrong with you, what is the matter with you, that you have become two parties, two groups, regarding the hypocrites, when God has overthrown them, He has turned them back [to disbelief], for what they earned?, in the way of disbelief and acts of disobedience. What, do you desire to guide him whom God has sent astray?, that is, to count them among the guided (the interrogative in both places is for disapproval). And he whom God sends astray, you will never find for him a way, a path to guidance.