The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 634
CH. 7 AL-A'RĀF PT. 9 وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَاَنْصِتُوا And when the Quran is. 205 recited, give ear to it and keep silence, that you may be shown mercy. 1089 "17:107. means, the way became manifest. You say i. e. I am certain; or I possess certain knowledge. means, mental perception; the perceptive faculty of the mind; understanding; intelligence or skill; firm belief of the heart; constancy or firmness in religion; an evidence, testimony, proof or argument; a witness; an example by which one is admonished; a shield (Lane & Aqrab). Commentary: The word means "a sign". The verses of the Quran are also called (signs) because every one of them by itself constitutes a divine sign, an evidence of the Divine origin of the Quran, and of the truth of the Holy Prophet. The purport of the verse is that although the Word of God is being revealed as occasion demands, and successive signs of God are being shown to men, yet whenever there is some delay in the coming of Divine revelation or the occurrence of signs, disbelievers ignore the Word of God already revealed and the signs already shown and shamelessly begin to ask of the Prophet, "Why do you not bring any revelation or show any sign in your support?" as if no sign had so far been shown and no revelation had come. To this impudent demand of disbelievers, the Holy Prophet is instructed to reply that the sending 1074 لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ) down of revelation or the showing of signs lies entirely in the hands of God and that he himself possesses no power to produce them at will. But why do they demand a fresh revelation or a new sign, asks the Quran. Are not the revelations that have already come and the signs that have already appeared enough to establish the truth of Islam? Why do they not ponder over them and profit by them? It should be remembered that God seldom shows signs at the demand of disbelievers. Moreover, the demand for a fresh sign on their part implies that the signs already shown were no signs and furnished no evidence of the Prophet's truth. Thus to accede to their demand means a reflection on the signs already shown and detracts from their value. It is, therefore, very rare that God shows fresh signs or miracles as demanded by disbelievers. He requires them rather to consider past signs and profit by them. 1089. Commentary: In answer to their demand for fresh signs disbelievers are here told to listen to the Quran carefully, because it contains signs and evidences enough and to spare. This will make them realize the error of their demand and they will see the truth and will as