And those
who have no knowledge say: “Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come
to us?” Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their
hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the signs clear for a people who
are sure (118). Surely, We have sent you with truth as a bearer of good
news and as a warner, and you shall not be questioned as to the companions
of the flaming fire (119).
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COMMENTARY
QUR’AN: And those who have no knowledge
say: It refers to the polytheists and the unbelievers other than the
people of the Book. It is set in contrast with the verse 113: And the
Jews say, “The Christians do not follow anything (good)”, and the
Christians say, “The Jews do not follow anything (good), while they recite
the Book. Even thus say those who have no knowledge, like to what they
say. In this verse, the People of the Book were joined to the polytheists
and unbelievers of Arabia; and the verse under discussion joins those
polytheists and unbelievers to the People of the Book: “And those who have
no knowledge say: ‘Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us?’
Even thus said those before them (i.e. the People of the Book, including
the Jews) the like of what they say”, because the Jews had disputed with
their prophet, Musa (a.s.) and demanded from him the like of what these
pagans say.
The People
of the Book and the pagans of Arabia are alike in their way of thinking;
the former say what the like of the latter say, and vice versa: their
hearts are all alike.
QUR'AN:
Indeed We have made the signs clear for a people who are sure:
It is the rebuttal of the demand of those who have no knowledge. The
signs they are demanding have already come to them, already have been made
clear to them. But they cannot benefit from them because only those who
are sure of those signs may get their benefit. As for these people who
have no knowledge, their hearts are submerged into ignorance, sick with
the disease of prejudice and envy. That is why they have lost the ability
to benefit from the signs sent by Allah.
The above
explanation makes it clear why they have been described as "those who have
no knowledge".
After
exposing the falsity of their demand, Allah directs His speech to the
Apostle, declaring in clear terms that he has been sent by Allah "with the
truth as the bearer of good news and as a warner". The verse was meant to
bring comfort to the Prophet's heart and to make him realize that these
adversaries were the people of the Fire, and they would not come to the
path of guidance.
QUR'AN: and you
shall not be questioned as to the companions of the flaming fire: Its
import is similar to that of the verse: Surely those who disbelieve
alike is to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not
believe (2:6).
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