Quranic Sciences

27. " Then the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: 'We do not see(in)you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see that any follow you but those who are the meanest among us, at first thought, nor do we see(in)you any excellence over us; nay, we think you are liars! '"

Commentary

The opponents of the truth sometimes belittle and endeavor to weaken the Divine leaders. They claim that prophets are men like others and not superior to them. The verse says:

" Then the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: 'We do not see(in)you but a man like ourselves, ..."

At other times, humiliating the prophets' followers, they claim that they are some unimportant and insignificant people. The verse continues saying:

"... nor do we see that any follow you but those who are the meanest among us, at first thought, ..."

At other times, they despise the entire school claiming that the adherents of this school are naive and superficial who lack any depth of vision. The verse says:

"... nor do we see(in)you any excellence over us; nay, we think you are liars! '"

Arrogant people often detest being equal with the masses, especially with those who are deprived. Usually, the aristocrats have always allied themselves with the opponents of the prophets but those who take less interest in worldly affairs, become believers more quickly and are more decent.

Therefore, the opponents of the prophets lack reasoning and whatever they claim is based on conjecture, speculation and on hallucinations.

28. " He said: "O my People! Bethink you, if I be upon a clear proof from my Lord, and He has grant me mercy from His Presence, but has been obscured for you; shall we compel you to(accept)it while you are averse to it ?"

Commentary

This holy verse provides answers to two objections of the unbelievers which were raised in the foregoing verse.

The unbelievers used to say that Noah(a.s.)was a man like themselves. This verse answers that although in appearance the prophets are like the unbelievers, they have merited Allah's particular approbation since they receive revelations and perform miracles.

The unbelievers would say that the followers of Had rat Noah(a.s.)were some simple minded, short sighted, and naive people. The verse answers that such was not the case, although apparently they were weaker than the unbelievers, they had become believers through witnessing the proofs shown to them by their prophet. Their conviction, indeed, was not baseless and without reason.

Despite all the false accusations and groundless protests, the prophets have always displayed a tolerant attitude towards their foes and they still took recourse to logic, reasoning and appeal to their emotions.

Of all the things required of the prophets, offering proofs to the people and performing miracles combined with decisive reasoning leave no room for any excuses. Nothing must withhold people from exercising their free choice. Once they stick to their beliefs, they will prosper and once they refuse to do so they will be tormented. There is no compulsion in that. The verse says:

" He said: "O my People! Bethink you, if I be upon a clear proof from my Lord, and He has grant me mercy from His Presence, but has been obscured for you; shall we compel you to(accept)it while you are averse to it ?"

29. " And O' my People! I ask you no wealth for it. My reward is only upon Allah, and I will not drive away those who believe,(for)verily they shall meet their Lord, but I see you are an ignorant people. "

Commentary

The secret of a preacher's success is his lack of over expectation with regard to people and not letting himself be stymied by the objections of the wealthy corrupt classes.

If the prophets were seeking illegitimate profits, they would call on the aristocrats and not the poor, on the princes not on the paupers. The followers of the prophets are the oppressed people and they never neglect them.

The prophets are never greedy for the people's property. Their sole purpose, according to their mission is to save the people from their ignorance and from the Divine punishment. The verse says:

" And O' my People! I ask you no wealth for it. My reward is only upon Allah, and I will not drive away those who believe,(for)verily they shall meet their Lord, but I see you are an ignorant people. "

Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Hud" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"