Tafsir of Al-Muddathir 74:16

Al-Muddaththir: (16) Nay! Indeed, he was...

Then the Almighty said:

This is a stern rejection of his corrupt greed. The commentators mention that Al-Walid continued to decline after this statement until he became poor and died in poverty.

His statement, the Almighty:

The use of Innahu (Indeed, he was) serves as a causal explanation for the rejection, presented as a new clause. It is as if someone asked: "Why is he not given more?" The answer is: "Because he was obstinate toward Our signs."

Al-‘Anīd (the obstinate one) carries the meaning of one who is stubbornly resistant, similar to al-jalīs (companion), al-akīl (eater), and al-‘ashīr (close associate).

In this verse, there are indications of several aspects of his character:

1. He was obstinate regarding all proofs that indicated Tawhid (Oneness of God), Justice, Power, the truthfulness of Prophethood, and the reality of the Resurrection. He disputed everything and denied everything.
2. His disbelief was a disbelief of obstinacy (kifr ‘anād). He knew these truths in his heart but denied them with his tongue. The disbelief of the obstinate is the most severe type of disbelief.
3. His statement, {Indeed, he was to Our signs obstinate}, indicates that this practice (of obstinacy) was his profession and habit from ancient times.
4. The phrase {Indeed, he was to Our signs obstinate} implies that this obstinacy was specific to the signs and clear proofs of Allah. The implication is: "He was obstinate toward Our signs, not toward the signs of others." Singling out this obstinacy for the signs of Allah, while he refrained from obstinacy in other matters, indicates the utmost loss.

< { I will subject him to an arduous ascent. } >