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The Meaning of “Behind”
Exegetes differ in their understanding of the word “behind” (warāʾ) in the phrase “and there was behind them a king.” Some interpret it as literally behind, while others—according to al-Qurṭubī—understand it as meaning ahead or in front(374), similar to how Hell is described as being “behind” disbelievers and hypocrites in the verse “Hell is behind them”(375), even though Hell lies ahead of them.
In the view of ʿAllāmah Ṭabāṭabāʾī, “behind” (warāʾ) refers to the space opposite to what is in front of a person, which is called “forward” (quddām) or “ahead” (amām). However, it can also refer to a space that one is unaware of, containing someone with ill intentions—even if physically in front—or something from which one turns away.(376) Thus, “and there was behind them” means “and there was in that place”: “and there was there” (wa-kāna hunāk).
Some have said that the word “behind” (warāʾ) comes from “being hidden” (mutawārī), which refers to someone who is concealed from a person whether from behind, in front, right, or left. Thus it is not limited to what is behind, and if it is more commonly used for what is behind, this is not due to any special linguistic connection to the root word. The root of warāʾ aligns with the concept of being hidden.(377)
In any case, while the word “behind” (warāʾ) means “behind” when used in contrast to “ahead” (amām), based on its broader usage and comprehensive terminology, it refers to any direction from which one is unaware, not a specific direction. The criterion differs when considering time versus space, meaning temporal “behind” differs from spatial “behind.”
The point is that “behind” in the verse under discussion indicates that in that land there was a king who would seize sound ships, but the owners of this ship were unaware of and paid no attention to the existence of that king.
“Behind” (warāʾ) is used to mean “everything else” in all directions (front, behind, right, and left) and is not limited to just meaning behind. Examples include:
“And God encompasses them from behind them”(378), since God is present in all directions.
“…so whoever seeks beyond that…”(379)
“It is not for any human being that God should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a veil”(380), which speaks about the distribution of types of God’s speech. Whether the veil is in front, behind, to the right, or to the left, in all cases, the word “behind” (warāʾ) applies.
Note: The cause should be mentioned before the effect, and in the verse under discussion, the threat of usurpation that caused the damaging of the ship should have come first. However, the effect was mentioned first, and this precedence in verbal expression is for emphasis, even though in terms of meaning, the effect comes later.(381)