15 Preface مَنِ اهتَدىٰ فَإِنَّما يَهتَدي لِنَفسِهِ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّما يَضِلُّ عَلَيها ۚ وَلا تَزِرُ وازِرَةٌ وِزرَ أُخرىٰ ۗ وَما كُنّا مُعَذِّبينَ حَتّىٰ نَبعَثَ رَسولًاYusuf AliWho receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss:1 No bearer of burdens can bear the burden2 of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent a messenger (to give warning). The doctrine of personal responsibility is insisted on, and the basis of ethics is shown to be our own good or evil as furthering or obstructing our highest development.The doctrine of vicarious atonement is condemned. Salvation for the wicked cannot be attained by the punishment of the innocent. One man cannot bear the burden of another; that would be unjust. Every man must bear his own personal responsibility. Cf. 6:164. But God never visits His wrath on anyone until due warning is conveyed to him through an accredited messenger.