Al-Qalam: (8) So do not obey the deniers

The fa (particle) in His saying, Exalted is He, "So do not obey the deniers," is for ordering the prohibition upon what is indicated by the preceding [verses] regarding his guidance—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and their misguidance, or upon everything detailed from the beginning of the chapter. This is an incitement and a stirring to be resolute in defying them; that is, persist in the state you are in of not obeying them, and be firm in that. It is also permitted that it is a prohibition against appeasing them and compromising with them by manifesting something other than what is in his conscience—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in order to win their hearts, not a prohibition of actual obedience to them. This is indicated by His saying, Exalted is He...