Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:90

Commentary

A prophetic answer to hostile questions sounding absurd

The questions asked and the demands made in these verses from the Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) were virtually conditions on the fulfillment of which his antagonists were supposed to believe. These conditions are such that anyone who hears them would find them nothing but some sort of weird mockery and certainly a very absurd excuse for not believing. While hav¬ing to respond to such questions, one becomes naturally angry and retorts in the same manner. But, the answer that Allah Ta’ ala taught His prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) to give against their impertinent questions reported in this verse is something significant for everyone. Particularly so, for the leaders and reformers of the Muslim community who would do well to always remember it making it a regular feature of their work among peo¬ple. Is it not that, in answer to all that, nothing was said about their lack of sense, nor mention was made of their hostile mischief, nor there was any verbal duel fought against them? Instead, the truth of the matter was made clear to them in very simple words. In effect, they were told: Perhaps, you think that a person who comes as a messenger of Allah should also be the possessor of all Divine powers and should be able to control everything. This is a mistaken notion. The duty of a Mes¬senger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) is only to convey the Divine message. It is a different matter that Allah would also send many miracles to prove the veracity of the mission of His apostles, prophets and messengers. But, that takes place exclusively with the power and under the control of Allah Ta’ ala. A rasul (messenger) is not given Divine powers. He is a human being and is never outside the framework of human power - except that Allah Ta` ala alone were to manifest His great subduing power to help him.