Question:

About whom does the verse speak: “To those, who disbelieve and turn away from the path of God, He makes their deeds go lost.” [Muhammad 47:1]

الذين كفروا وصدوا عن سبيل الله أضل أعمالهم

Response:

Abu Al-Hasan Al-Qummi writes: “It was revealed for those, who after the death of Prophet Muhammad (s.) became apostates and deprived the right of the people of his Household (a.) and stayed away from Imam Ali (a.) and to the closeness (Wilayah) of the Imams (a.). Their deeds are lost, by which is meant, whatever was earned by those of them with the Messenger (s.) in the effort and support.” [Tafsir Al-Qummi, Vol. 2 page 300]

قال الشيخ أبو الحسن القمي رضي الله عنه: نزلت في الذين ارتدوا بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وغصبوا أهل بيته حقهم وصدوا عن أمير المؤمنين عليه الصلاة والسلام وعن ولاية الأئمة عليهم السلام أضل أعمالهم أي أبطل ما كان تقدم منهم مع رسول الله عليه وآله الصلاة والسلام من الجهاد والنصرة

Al-Abbas Ibn Al-Jarish reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “After the death of Prophet Muhammad (s.), the Commander of the Believers (a.) recited the verse in a loud voice, in the house of prayer, where the people were gathered: “To those who disbelieve and turn away from the path of God, He makes their deeds go lost.” (47:1) Thereupon Abdullah ibn Abbas said: “O father of Hasan, what have you recited?” He said: “I recited something from the Qur’an.” He said: “Did you bring up the matter?” He said: “Yes, God says in His Book: “And what the Messenger gives you, you shall take. And what he denies to you, you shall keep away from it.” (59:7) Did you see that the Messenger (s.) appointed this one (Abu Bakr) as his successor?” He said: “I did not hear the Messenger (s.) appoint anyone as his successor except for you.” He said: “Did you swear allegiance to me?” He said: “The people agreed on him (Abu Bakr) and I was among them.” Thereupon Imam Ali (a.) said: “Just as the people of the golden calf agreed on the golden calf. Behold, this is wherein you were tempted and with you: “Their example is that of one, who kindled a fire (2:17) but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see. They are Deaf, dumb, blind (2:18) They will not return.” [Tafsir Al-Qummi, Vol. 2 page 301]

أخبرنا أحمد بن إدريس عن أحمد بن محمد عن الحسن ابن العباس بن الجريش عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام بعد وفاة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله في المسجد والناس مجتمعون – بصوت عال: الذين كفروا وصدوا عن سبيل الله. أضل أعمالهم  فقال ابن عباس: يا أبا الحسن لم قلت ما قلت؟! قال: قرأت شيئا من القرآن. قال: لقد قلته لأمر؟ قال: نعم، إن الله يقول في كتابه: وما آتاكم الرسول فخذوه وما نهاكم عنه فانتهوا أفتشهد على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله أنه استخلف فلانا (أبا بكر)؟ قال: ما سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله أوصى إلا إليك. قال: فهلا بايعتني؟! قال: اجتمع الناس عليه (أبي بكر) فكنت منهم. فقال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: كما اجتمع أهل العجل على العجل، ها هنا فتنتم، ومثلكم كمثل الذي استوقد نارا فلما أضاءت ما حوله ذهب الله بنورهم وتركهم في ظلمات لا يبصرون صم بكم عمي فهم لا يرجعون