The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 84
Christian nations would be warned that a dreadful fate was in store for them, people would ask in doubt and amazement how could it be possible, and how the power of these mighty nations could ever break and their glory depart? The Surah emphatically declares that this event will certainly come to pass and Christian nations will be seized with a terrible visitation, "lofty mountains shall crumble and become like scattered dust" (20:106). Then the subject dealt with in the opening verses of the Surah is rehearsed, viz. that the Quran easily yields to comprehension because it has been revealed in the national tongue of the people who are its first addressees. Like the Gospels it does not usually talk in parables and metaphors, thus leaving the subject confused and lacking in clarity, but explains its principles and teachings fully and renders them quite clear and transparent. Then again the importance of the Shari'ah is driven home and we are told that the Law is not a curse but a blessing and a mercy of God, therefore the faithful should wait patiently for new commandments and ordinances to be revealed. After this reference is made to the expulsion of Adam from "the garden" and Christians are told that this incident on which the whole fabric of Christian doctrine of Atonement stands is either misunderstood or deliberately misinterpreted. The truth is that the birth of Adam took place in pursuance of a special Divine plan, and Divine plans never miscarry or fail in achieving their object. While on the one hand the Bible says that God created Adam in His own image (Gen. 1:27), on the other hand it declares that beguiled by Eve he fell into sin. In this way the Bible contradicts itself. According to the Quran, however, Adam having been created in God's own image and after His likeness could not possibly have been guilty of any such fall imputed to him by the Bible. The Quranic statement, unlike the statement of the Bible is, therefore, quite consistent with reason. It describes Adam as only having slipped into an inadvertent lapse. The Surah further observes that if Adam had really committed a sin, then God's plan had miscarried and not Adam but God Himself was to blame and that it was God's own weakness and not that of Adam that had become exposed. Then those people who reject the Law and turn away from it receive a severe scolding and are condemned as deprived of divine light. Next, the Holy Prophet is told that if disbelievers have not been punished so far it is because everything has an appointed time. He should go on preaching his message and success ultimately is bound to come to him. Towards the end of the Surah the Holy Prophet is commanded to tell disbelievers that the signs and miracles of their devising and choice will never be shown to them but God Himself will decide when and which Signs to show. In spite of their disbelief and transgression they will get respite as did disbelievers in the past. The latter were seized with Divine punishment when 1998