Al-Najm (The Star): (29) So turn away from him...

This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) was initially commanded to call to the way of truth with wisdom and good exhortation. When they opposed him with their falsehoods, he was told: {And argue with them in a way that is best} (An-Nahl: 125). Then, when that was not effective, his Lord said to him: {So turn away from him}—meaning, do not meet their arguments with proof and evidence, for they follow nothing but conjecture and do not follow the truth. Instead, meet them with turning away from debate, provided that confrontation is permissible [in other contexts]. How, then, can it be abrogated?

The word {أعرض} (a'rid) comes from the root related to presenting something (عرض), and the Hamza (أ) here implies negation or removal, as if saying: "Remove the presentation, and do not present anything further to them after this."

The phrase {من تولى عن ذكرنا} (whoever turns away from Our remembrance) serves to explain the prerequisite for the benefit of admonition and debate. How can someone who does not listen to the saying grasp its meaning?

Regarding {ذكرنا} (Our remembrance), there are several interpretations:

1. The Qur'an.
2. Proof and evidence.
3. The remembrance of Allah Almighty. If one does not contemplate a thing, how can they know its attributes?

They used to say: "We do not reflect upon the favors of Allah because we are not attached to Allah; rather, we are commanded concerning that which created us"—meaning the angels or time, according to their differing opinions and varied falsehoods.

The Almighty's saying {ولم يرد إلا الحياة الدنيا} (and desires nothing except the worldly life) points to their denial of the Resurrection, just as they said: {It is nothing but our life in this world} (Al-Mu'minun: 37).

The saying {يا أيها الذين آمنوا} (O you who have believed...) [This seems to be a misplaced reference or a continuation of the context of the verse in Surah At-Tawbah, but in this context, it relates to their state]: meaning they did not establish anything beyond this life for which they should strive.

Therefore, the statement {من تولى عن ذكرنا} (whoever turns away from Our remembrance) indicates their denial of the Resurrection. Because if one abandons contemplating the favors of Allah, they will not know Him, will not follow His Messenger, and thus the Messenger's words will not benefit them. If they do not believe in accountability and reckoning, they will not fear, and thus will not return from their current state. In that case, there remains no benefit in calling them.

Know that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the physician of the hearts. He followed the order of physicians: If a condition can be rectified by diet, they do not use medicine. If it cannot be fixed by weak medicine, they do not use strong medicine. When they are unable to treat with drinks and other means, they resort to cauterization (iron/fire), as cauterization is the last resort of medicine.

Thus, the Prophet (peace be upon him) first commanded the hearts only with the remembrance of Allah, for {Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest} (Ar-Ra'd: 28), just as souls find rest through diet. Remembrance is the nourishment of the heart. This is why he first said: "Say: There is no god but Allah"—commanding remembrance for those who benefited, like Abu Bakr and others. For those who did not benefit, proof was presented to them, such as: {Have they not reflected?} (Al-A'raf: 184), {Say: Behold the signs} (Yunus: 101), {Do they not then consider?} (Al-Ghashiyah: 17), and so on.

Then, warnings and threats were brought. When these did not benefit them, he was told: "Turn away from the treatment, and cut off the corrupt element so that it does not corrupt the sound one."

(30) {That is the extent of their knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided.}