The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 396
view of these signs, how can those gifted with sight follow those who are deprived of it? In the third Ruku' it is said that disbelievers should not worry as to whether the Prophet is true or false, because God has taken it upon Himself to destroy a false prophet. The patent fact, however, is that whereas the faith of believers is unflinching and steadfast, disbelievers never hesitate to disown their idolatrous beliefs whenever they are overtaken by misfortunes. The absurdity of their position is further exposed when it is noticed that while they say to the Prophet that they cannot give up the ways and usages of their forefathers, they base their own rejection of the Prophets on the plea that the latter merely imitate their forefathers, forgetting the plain logic that if idolatry is the result of following in the footsteps of forefathers, belief in the Oneness of God cannot be the result of similar imitation. In the fourth Ruku', light is thrown on the subject that irreligiousness is born of lack of faith in life after death or in the possibility of the establishment of real connection with God. This real lack of faith makes the disbeliever bold in his rejection of truth. But believers are admonished not to be disheartened by this attitude of disbelievers, because all Prophets of God have been treated like that. The opposition to the Prophets on the part of disbelievers is in fact but natural, because only those people seek God who possess some natural kinship with spiritual matters, for the deaf in spirit cannot hear the voice of God. These people witness sign after sign and yet disbelieve and reject them and continue to repeat, parrot-like, that no sign has been shown to them. Such disbelievers are warned that now only the Sign of punishment remains for them to witness and when that sign comes, they will forget all their boastful rejection of truth. In the fifth Ruku' it is stated that in the time of the former Prophets disbelievers adopted a similar attitude till punishment overtook them. But God is not quick in sending punishment. Disbelievers were granted respite in the past; similarly, respite is being granted to them now. Messengers of God are both bearers of glad tidings and warners. They first seek to bring the people to the right path by giving them glad tidings. It is only when the latter wilfully shut the door of guidance upon themselves that warning comes into operation. The Surah further proceeds to say in the 6th Rukū that only those, who have fear of God in their hearts, can accept the truth, and the Prophet is told to address his appeal to them. For the others, it is necessary that fear of God be first created in their hearts so that arguments and reasons may benefit them. Further, it is most essential for the progress of Islam that special attention be paid to the spiritual training of believers, whether rich or poor, because since the Prophet is mortal and must die, only the community of the believers remains behind to preach and propagate the Divine Message. In the 7th and 8th Ruku's the Holy Prophet is asked to tell disbelievers that they are 836