Tafseer Ibn Kathir of ASY SYUURA [44]

44. And whomsoever Allah sends astray, for him there is no protector after Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they behold the torment, they will say: ”Is there any way of return'' 45. And you will see them brought forward to it (Hell) made humble by disgrace, (and) looking with stealthy glance. And those who believe will say: ”Verily, the losers are they who lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection.'' Verily, the wrongdoers will be in a lasting torment. 46. And they will have no protectors to help them other than Allah. And he whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no way.   Allah tells us that whatever He wills happens and whatever He does not will does not happen, and no one can make it happen. Whomever He guides, none can lead astray, and whomever He leads astray, none can guide, as He says:

(but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no protecting to lead him.) (18:17). Then Allah tells us about the wrongdoers, i.e., the idolators who associate others in worship with Allah:

(when they behold the torment,) i.e., on the Day of Resurrection, they will wish that they could go back to this world.

(they will say: ”Is there any way of return'') This is like the Ayah:

(If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: ”Would that we were but sent back! Then we would not deny the Ayat of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!'' Nay, it has become manifest to them what they had been concealing before. But if they were returned, they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars.) (6:27-28)

(And you will see them brought forward to it) means, to the Fire.

(made humble by disgrace,) means, in a befitting manner, because of their previous disobedience towards Allah.

((and) looking with stealthy glance.) Mujahid said, ”In a humiliated manner.'' That is, they will steal glances at it, because they will be afraid of it. But the thing that they are afraid of will undoubtedly happen, and worse than that -- may Allah save us from that.

(And those who believe will say) means, on the Day of Resurrection they will say:

(Verily, the losers...) means, the greatest losers.

(are they who lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. ) means, they will be taken to the Fire and deprived of any pleasures in the Hereafter. They will lose themselves, and they will be separated from their loved ones, companions, families and relatives, and they will lose them.

(Verily, the wrongdoers will be in a lasting torment.) means, everlasting and eternal, with no way out and no escape.

(And they will have no protectors to help them other than Allah.) means, no one to save them from the punishment and torment which they are suffering.

(And he whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no way.) means, no salvation.