al-Najm

ألَآ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ اُخْرَی

وَأن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلاّ مَا سَعَی

38. [It is mentioned in all Scriptures that] that no one shall bear the burden of another.

39. And that man can have nothing but what he strives for.

The Arabic word wizr denotes heavy burden and it connotes sin which is actually a heavy burden. The Arabic word wazir is applied to vizier who shoulders the heavy burden of the administration of the state. The blessed Verses are saying that God Almighty obliterates vices through committing righteous good deeds, forgives sins because of repentance, or turns vices into good, but never makes anyone bear the burden of sins committed by another. In this vein, it is reported that the second caliph ordered a pregnant adulteress be stoned.

Imam ‘Ali (as) objected saying that the fetus in her womb was not supposed to bear the burden of its mother's sin in which he relied on the blessed Verse:

"No one shall bear the burden of another."

He said:

"Be patient until the ruling will be executed after delivery." ¹

The Messenger of Allah (S) aid:

"The sins of fornicating parents are not to be borne by the illegitimate children."

Then he recited the Verse:

"No one shall bear the burden of another." ²

The blessed Verse 39 reads:

"And that man can have nothing but what he strives for."

The Arabic word sa‘y designates "move fast rather than run" but it often connotes "strive, make effort," since upon making efforts, rapid movements are being done whether the same aim at doing righteous good deeds or otherwise. It would be of interest to note that man reaps the fruit of his efforts rather than fulfillment of something which connotes that it is of significance to strive and make efforts even if one may not attain to his goal; if he intends to do righteous good deeds, God Almighty will grant him his reward, since he seeks good intentions rather than fulfilled tasks.

Footnotes

1. 1. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 76, p. 49.
2. 2. Tafsir Rahnama; Durr al-Manthur; and other exegetic works under the blessed Verse in question.