Transliteration:( Wa maa anta bihaadil 'umyi 'an dalaalatihim in tusmi'u illaa mai yuminu bi aayaatinaa fahum muslimoon (section 5) )
"And nor can you guide [118] the blind from their error. You make only those to hear who believed Our signs, and they have already surrendered [119] (to faith)."
The blind here refers metaphorically to those who are inwardly blind—those deprived of true faith and insight. Such unfortunate individuals cannot be guided by the Prophet (peace be upon him) because guidance is a blessing granted by Allah. This implies that those who claim the Prophet cannot guide are essentially admitting to their own spiritual blindness and eternal misguidance.
The term dead used earlier refers to the disbelievers, not to physically deceased people, since believers are contrasted with infidels, not with the dead. The Qur’an elsewhere affirms that the dead can hear, as in the example of earlier prophets addressing those who had passed away.
If this verse were taken literally to mean that the Prophet cannot guide physically blind people, it would be incorrect since many blind individuals have embraced Islam and been rightly guided.
Thus, the 'dead' and 'blind' here symbolize the spiritually dead and blind disbelievers. The verse emphasizes that only those who have accepted faith and surrendered to Allah truly hear and benefit from His signs.
This understanding is consistent with other Qur’anic verses and prophetic traditions which affirm that the dead in graves can hear greetings and supplications offered to them.
The tafsir of Surah Ar-Rum verse 53 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Rum ayat 52 which provides the complete commentary from verse 52 through 53.
(30:53) nor can you guide the blind out of their error.[78] You can make none hear (your call) except those who believe in Our Signs and have surrendered themselves (to Him).
78. That is, “It is not for the Prophet that he should help and guide the blind by the hand to the right way all through the life. He can only show guidance to the right path. But guiding those whose hearts have been blinded and who do not at all see the way that the Prophet tries to show them, is not within the power of the Prophets.”
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