Q 8: What is the correct Tafsir (explanation/exegesis) of Allah’s Statement (meanings of which are translated as), And say: “The truth is from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. ? (Surah Al-Kafh, 18: 29)

A: The correct Tafsir is that Allah (Exalted is His Majesty) is commanding His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to inform those whose hearts are made heedless of the remembrance of Allah and who follow their desires that this Qur’an which he (peace be upon him) is reciting to them is the truth revealed by their Lord; in Whose Hand is success and failure, guidance or misguidance. Allah guides whom He wills to the right path, and so they believe; and He allows to stray whom He wills, and so they disbelieve. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has no control of this, and would never for the sake of pleasing disbelievers drive away any of those who have followed the truth and have believed in Allah and that which was revealed to him. So, they have the choice to believe, if they so will; or to disbelieve, if they so will. If they choose to disbelieve, Allah has prepared for them a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them for their disbelief. If they choose to believe and obey, they will attain what Allah (Exalted be He) has promised those who obey Him. (Part No. 4; Page No. 253) This does not mean that Allah sanctions either Kufr (disbelief) or Iman (belief), for people to choose, as they please; rather it is a threat and a warning. The evidence of this is the threatening with severe punishment addressed to the disbelievers at the end of this Ayah, and the glad tidings of Jannah (Paradise) given to the believers in the next two Ayahs.You can refer to the Tafsir of Imam Ibn Jarir Al-Tabary (may Allah be merciful to him) of this Ayah and the next two Ayahs of Surah Al-Kahf, or the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, as they contain sufficient information.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.