سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 15
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا ﴿15﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another’s burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
مَّنِ
mani
Whoever
ٱهْتَدَىٰ
ih'tadā
(is) guided
فَإِنَّمَا
fa-innamā
then only
يَهْتَدِى
yahtadī
he is guided
لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ
linafsihi
for his soul
وَمَن
waman
And whoever
ضَلَّ
ḍalla
goes astray
فَإِنَّمَا
fa-innamā
then only
يَضِلُّ
yaḍillu
he goes astray
عَلَيْهَا ۚ
ʿalayhā
against it
وَلَا
walā
And not
تَزِرُ
taziru
will bear
وَازِرَةٌۭ
wāziratun
a bearer of burden
وِزْرَ
wiz'ra
burden
أُخْرَىٰ ۗ
ukh'rā
(of) another
وَمَا
wamā
And not
كُنَّا
kunnā
We
مُعَذِّبِينَ
muʿadhibīna
are to punish
حَتَّىٰ
ḥattā
until
نَبْعَثَ
nabʿatha
We have sent
رَسُولًۭا
rasūlan
a Messenger
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
15. Whoever accepts guidance, it is only for his own benefit; and whoever goes astray, the burden is only on him. And no bearer of burden [14] will bear the burden of another. And We never punish until We have sent a messenger [15].
[14]
Accountability Will Be Individual; In Collective Sins, Each Individual Will Receive Their Share:
This is a very important part of the law of reward and punishment, that is, "whoever does, will bear the consequences." The burden of one person's sin cannot be transferred to another. And as much as someone's sin is, they will definitely receive that much punishment, and only that much—neither less nor more. The important point that is understood from this verse is that everyone will be questioned individually. No person will be able to absolve themselves by placing the burden of their sin on society; rather, it will be seen how much share that particular individual had in the collective crime. Accordingly, they will be punished. Therefore, every person should keep an eye on their own character. They should not look at what others are doing, nor should they take such support. Such support will be of no use; rather, one should keep an eye on their own deeds and actions.
[15]
Completion of Proof Before Punishment:
The second important part of the law of reward and punishment is that before punishing the criminal, completion of proof is necessary. This condition is necessary for worldly punishment as well as for punishment in the Hereafter. One form of completion of proof is the Covenant of Alast or the natural inclination, and the sending of prophets and books are things that highlight this natural inclination, reminding one of that same covenant. And that covenant is that the Lord of the entire universe is only Allah Almighty alone, who has no partner; therefore, only He should be worshipped.
[14]
Accountability Will Be Individual; In Collective Sins, Each Individual Will Receive Their Share:
This is a very important part of the law of reward and punishment, that is, "whoever does, will bear the consequences." The burden of one person's sin cannot be transferred to another. And as much as someone's sin is, they will definitely receive that much punishment, and only that much—neither less nor more. The important point that is understood from this verse is that everyone will be questioned individually. No person will be able to absolve themselves by placing the burden of their sin on society; rather, it will be seen how much share that particular individual had in the collective crime. Accordingly, they will be punished. Therefore, every person should keep an eye on their own character. They should not look at what others are doing, nor should they take such support. Such support will be of no use; rather, one should keep an eye on their own deeds and actions.
[15]
Completion of Proof Before Punishment:
The second important part of the law of reward and punishment is that before punishing the criminal, completion of proof is necessary. This condition is necessary for worldly punishment as well as for punishment in the Hereafter. One form of completion of proof is the Covenant of Alast or the natural inclination, and the sending of prophets and books are things that highlight this natural inclination, reminding one of that same covenant. And that covenant is that the Lord of the entire universe is only Allah Almighty alone, who has no partner; therefore, only He should be worshipped.
