Surah Yasin Tafseer

And if it had been Our will, We would surely have wiped out their eyes, so that they would struggle for the path, how then would they see!

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, explained it:

"Allah says, `If We willed, We could have misguided them all away from true guidance, so how could they be guided."

And on one occasion he said,

"We could have blinded them."'

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said,

"If Allah willed, He could have covered their eyes and made them blind, stumbling about."

Mujahid, Abu Salih, Qatadah and As-Suddi said,

"So that they would struggle for the path, i.e., the right way."

Ibn Zayd said,

"The meaning of path here is the truth -- `How could they see when We have covered their eyes"'

Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him said:

فَأَنَّى يُبْصِرُونَ

(how then would they see),

"They would not see the truth.