Al-Anbiya: 42

(Say) A command to him, peace be upon him, to ask those mockers a question of rebuke and warning, so that they may not be deceived by the blessings of Allah, the Exalted, that have covered them.

(Who can protect you) meaning: who can guard you (by night or by day from the Most Gracious) meaning: from His might, as indicated by the context of "protection." The night is mentioned first because calamities occur more frequently and strike more severely therein. Referring to Him by the title of "The Most Gracious" (al-Rahman) serves as a reminder that they have no protection except by His mercy, and it also serves as a prompt for the answer, as was said regarding the verse: "What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?" It is also said that this alludes to the fact that His might, when He wills it, is severe and painful; hence it is said, "We seek refuge in Allah, the Almighty, from the wrath of the Forbearing." It also serves to induce regret in them, for He is the One whose mercy prevails, and it indicates the intensity of their wickedness. Abu Ja'far, al-Zuhri, and Shaybah read it as yaklukum with a light damma and without a glottal stop (hamzah). Al-Kisa'i and al-Farra' reported it as yaklawkum with a fatha on the lam and a quiescent waw.

(Nay, but they are turning away from the remembrance of their Lord)

This is a diversion from the former statement, registering against them that they are not among those who listen, and that they are a people whom blessings have diverted from the Bestower of blessings, such that they do not remember Him, the Exalted, to fear His might, nor do they consider the security and tranquility they enjoy to be a result of His guardianship and protection—such that they would ask about the Protector. This follows the style of the poet: "Turn aside and greet the remnants of the dwelling, for what are you greeting but storms and stones?" It implies that they are persistent in their turning away, even though they were reminded and alerted first.

There is an evident indication of the utmost degree of misguidance and error in the fact that their turning away is linked to His remembrance, and that the name "Lord" is mentioned, added to the pronoun referring to them—signifying that they are under His dominion, management, and nurturing.

It is said that this is a diversion from an implied thought: namely, that they are not unmindful of Allah, the Exalted, such that asking about Him would be of no avail. How could they be, when they only took gods and worshipped them to intercede for them with Him and bring them closer to Him? Rather, they are turning away from His remembrance, the Exalted; thus, reminding them is appropriate for them. Although this is consistent with the flow of the discourse and clearly aligns with the requirements of the context, it has remained hidden from observers, and they have all been heedless of it.

This has been challenged by the argument that the context is intended to expose their ignorance and record against them that when they are reminded, they do not remember—does one not see the verse: "And the deaf cannot hear the call"? What was mentioned above would imply the opposite, as it involves describing them as being receptive to warning and the call, even though the statement "they are not unmindful" contradicts what the noble arrangement of the text indicates. Thus, the truth is what was stated previously.