Allāh has related his guidance of the disbelievers in many verses—regardless of their various religions and ways. Just as He has related his acceptance of repentance from every impermissible act. However, He has also related in other verses that “He guides not the oppressors” and that “He does not guide a rebellious, sinning people”. How do we commensurate between these two?

It should be said that the saying of the Most High:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ‎﴿٩٦﴾‏ وَلَوْ جَاءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ آيَةٍ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا الْعَذَابَ الْأَلِيمَ ‎﴿٩٧﴾‏

“Truly! Those, against whom the Word (Wrath) of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them – until they see the painful torment.”
(Yūnus, 10:96)

This is the defining distinction between those who are guided by Allāh and those who are not. [It is as if Allāh is saying] as for the ones upon whom the word of punishment has been justified, We have cursed them. It is due to Allāh’s knowledge that these people are unsuitable for guidance, to the extent that oppression and rebellious, obstinate, sinning has become a staple by which they are described—this rebellious nature never abandoning or leaving them—such that this nature is known from their outward appearances, stubbornness, and arrogance that occludes them from accepting the truth. Allāh has sealed the hearts of such people, completely blocking them from righteousness and piety. The crime belongs to them alone. For indeed they have seen the path of righteousness manifest before them, but have chosen to turn away from it in avoidance. Then, upon seeing the path of error and folly, they desire its adoption. They have taken the Shayāṭin as close allies and friends besides Allāh.

Source: Fawāʾid Qurʾāniyyah: 47-48
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī