An-Naḥl 16:100
The verse
إِنَّمَا سُلْطَٰنُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشْرِكُونَ ١٠٠
His power is only over those who make a friend of him, and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah). — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
The problem with this verse is not as clearly seen as it is in other translations: “His authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him” (Shakir trans.; emphasis added). To whom does the second “with Him” refer?
According to Islamic scholars there are two views:
The phrase “with Him” refers to their lord (Allah).
The phrase “with Him” refers to Satan.
Question: Where is the clear rhetoric when it cannot be determined whether a pronoun refers to Allah or Satan—polar opposites?
Arabic text of this item
ثمة رأيان في ما يرجع إليه ضمير <بِهِ>:
الأول: راجع إلى ربهم الله.
الثاني: راجع إلى الشيطان.
والسؤال البديهي: أي بلاغة، وأي بيان في ضمير يمكن أن يعود إلى الله أو إلى الشيطان؟
Sources cited
- al-Rāzī, Tafsīr 20: 117; al-Qurţubī 12: 426; compare with al-Zamakhsharī 3: 473 and Ibn
- Kathīr, Tafsīr 8: 354.
- الرازي، تفسير 20: 117.
- القرطبي، تفسير 12: 426.
- الزمخشري، الكشاف 3: 473.
- ابن كثير، تفسير 8: 354.