Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 47

(Ayah 47) {وَ لِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ رَّسُوْلٌ…:} There are two interpretations of this, one is the meaning of this verse: «{ وَ مَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِيْنَ حَتّٰى نَبْعَثَ رَسُوْلًا }» [ بنی إسرائیل : ۱۵ ] "And We never punish until We have sent a messenger." That is, in the world, a messenger is sent to every nation, then, keeping in view their disobedience and obedience, the decision of reward and punishment is made with justice. In summary, the innocent are not punished, nor are they held accountable without the completion of proof. Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Evil deeds are committed beforehand, but punishment is given after the arrival of the messenger." (Muwadhih) In previous nations, since the people of the world did not have contact with each other, separate messengers were sent to each nation. At the time of the arrival of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him), connections had been established between all the countries of the world, and in the future as well, Allah knew that the entire world was going to become like a single community, so the Seal of the Messengers (peace be upon him) was sent as a prophet for the whole world. Now, believing in him or not will be the cause of entering Paradise or Hell on the Day of Judgment. The second meaning of the verse is that on the Day of Judgment, the messenger of each nation will be presented as a witness before that nation, that I conveyed Allah's message to this nation, then all those who conveyed the message of truth to others will also be presented as witnesses, then in the light of their testimony, the decision will be made with justice. This is what is said in these verses: «{ فَكَيْفَ اِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍۭ بِشَهِيْدٍ وَّ جِئْنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰۤؤُلَآءِ شَهِيْدًا}» [ النساء : ۴۱ ] "Then how will it be when We bring from every nation a witness and bring you as a witness over these people." And it is said: «{ وَ اَشْرَقَتِ الْاَرْضُ بِنُوْرِ رَبِّهَا وَ وُضِعَ الْكِتٰبُ وَ جِايْٓءَ بِالنَّبِيّٖنَ وَ الشُّهَدَآءِ وَ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَ هُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُوْنَ }» [ الزمر : ۶۹ ] "And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the record will be placed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought, and it will be judged between them with truth, and they will not be wronged."

47 One meaning of this is that in every community We kept sending a Messenger. And when the Messenger had fulfilled his duty of conveying the message, then We would decide among them with justice. That is, We would save the Prophet and those who believed in him, and destroy the others. Because "وما کنا معذبین حتی نبعث رسولا" and it is not Our way to send punishment before sending a Messenger, or to hold them accountable without completing the proof. (Fath al-Qadeer) And the second meaning that has been stated is that this relates to the Day of Judgment, that is, on the Day of Judgment, when every community will be presented before Allah, the Messenger sent to that community will also be with them. All the records of deeds will also be there, and the angels will also be present as witnesses. And thus, judgment will be passed between every community and its Messenger with justice. And it is mentioned in the hadith that the judgment of the Ummah of Muhammad will be done first. As it is said, "Although we are the last to come, on the Day of Judgment we will be the foremost," and our judgment will be done before all creation. (Sahih Muslim. Book of Jumu'ah, Chapter: The Guidance of This Ummah to the Day of Jumu'ah) (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

47. For every nation there is a messenger. Then when their messenger comes, judgment is passed between them with justice [64], and they are not wronged.

[64] And this principle is not exclusive to your ﷺ Ummah alone, rather it has been Allah’s way with all nations that when people become involved in disobedience to Allah, He sends His Messenger to warn them, thus establishing proof against the people. Then some believe in him, while others deny him and become intent on harming him. In this way, a cold and hot battle between truth and falsehood begins, and Allah’s promise is that He supports the followers of truth and subjects the followers of falsehood to humiliation and punishment. And Allah’s decision is based on justice because He does not punish anyone before establishing proof against them.