Tafsir of Al-Mu'minoon 23:68-71

64

That is, "Do they mean to imply that they reject the Message because they do not understand it? whereas the Qur'an is not an enigma, nor is it being presented-in an incomprehensible language, nor does it deal with themes and subjects which are beyond human understanding. The fact is that they understand everything it presents, but they oppose and reject it, because they have no intention to follow and believe what it presents."

65

That is, "Is the Qur'an presenting something which they had never heard before? No, that is not so. Allah had been sending His Messages through His Prophets, who came to Arabia and in the adjoining lands and they are well acquainted with them, especially with Prophets Abraham and Ismael, and Hud, Saleh and Shoaib, who are acknowledged by them as Prophets of God, and who were not idol-worshipers but enjoined the worship of One God. " For further explanation, see E.N. 84 of Al-Furqan (XXV), E.N. 5 of As-Sajdah (XXXII) and E.N. 35 of Saba (XXXIV).

66

That is, "Do they reject the Message because Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) who is inviting them to it, is a stranger among them? No, this is not so, for he was born and bred among them in a noble family: he bears a pure and high character: he has been truthful, upright, trustworthy, honest and morally chaste throughout his life: he is a noble and gentle person, peace-loving and just by nature, honest in word and deed, sympathetic and helpful to the weak and poor. And they themselves testified to all this before he claimed to be a Messenger of Allah. Then he has been consistently preaching the same Message from the first day of his Mission. Then whatever he has preached he has first practiced it himself and demonstrated its truth: there has been no contradiction between his word and deed: he and his followers have faithfully and honestly put into practice the Message of the Qur'an and shown excellent results." For further details, see E.N. 21 of AI-An'am (Vl), E.N. 21 of Yunus (X) and E.N. 105 of Bani Isra'il (XVII).

67

That is, "Do they reject his Message because they regard Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) to be possessed by a jinn? No, this is also not correct, because in their heart of hearts, they themselves regard him as a wise and sagacious person. It is therefore ridiculous to regard a man like him to be possessed by a jinn, for such a person cannot say wise things and do noble deeds like him. How strange that a person possessed by a jinn (or having epileptic fits according to the western orientalists) should utter and recite sublime discourses of the Qur'an and start and guide a successful Movement which should revolutionize the way of life not only of his own people but of the whole world."

68

This brief sentence expresses a great reality which should be understood well. The foolish people in the world generally feel offended by a person who points out the Truth to them. They do not like to hear and consider the Truth because it goes against their desires and interests but the Truth remains the Truth and cannot be changed after one's personal whims and wishes. Man is subject to the eternal and unalterable laws operating in the universe and has therefore to adjust his thinking, desires and conduct accordingly and should try to discover the Truth and Reality through experience, reasoning and observation. Only a foolish person can stick to and regard his personal whims, wishes and prejudices to be the reality and refuse to hear and consider any argument, however rational and scientific, simply because it goes against them.

69

Here the word zikr means: (1) Mention of human nature and its demands, (2) admonition, (3) esteem, honor and fame. In the light of these, the full meaning of the verse will be: "Your rejection of the Qur'an is irrational, for it contains the mention of those things which develop the best in human nature: it is an admonition that will result in your own good and well-being, and it will bring esteem and honour for you in this world as well as in the Hereafter."