ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 16 Surah al-Zukhruf, Verses 40 - 63 Surah al-Zukhruf - Verse 40 أَفَأَنْتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِي الْعُمْيَ وَمَنْ كَانَ فِي ضَلالٍ مُبِينٍ 40. Can you [O Muhammad!] make the deaf to hear, or can you guide the blind or him who is in manifest error? Divine Word may solely affect the God fearing who are alive at heart.

The message of the Messenger of God (S) may not affect those who are not prepared to give ears to his words. Addressing the Noble Prophet (S), thus the blessed Verse inquires him: “Do you expect to make the deaf listen to you or can you guide the blind to the path of Guidance? Are you able to make those who are astray and tread the path of manifest error to turn toward the right path of the Islamic faith? It is beyond your means.

One whose heart is covered by the dark veil of neglect, vanity, and arrogance and the eyes and ears of his heart are blind and deaf may never be affected by Qur’anic Verses, the Divine Message revealed to the Messenger of God (S), so that he may proceed toward the Truth. It will be of no avail.” Surah al-Zukhruf - Verses 41 - 42 فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُمْ مُنْتَقِمُونَ أَوْ نُرِيَنَّكَ الَّذِي وَعَدْنَاهُمْ فَإِنَّا عَلَيْهِمْ مُقْتَدِرُونَ 41.

And when We take you away [from among them], We shall indeed take vengeance on them. 42. Or [if you happen to be alive] We show you that wherewith We threaten them: then verily We have perfect command over them. Disbelievers should not imagine that they will not be chastised so long as the Noble Prophet (S) is alive, or there will be no chastisement following his demise.

By Divine Chastisement, Divine Just Recompense, rather than hatred and abhorrence as the source of human vengeance, is intended. The blessed Verse is a consolation to the Prophet (S) saying that if God Almighty takes him to His Closeness of Mercy before his taking vengeance of disbelievers, He will take his vengeance of them.

It is also said that the Verse means that if God Almighty takes him from Mecca without his taking vengeance of Quraysh disbelievers, He will take vengeance of them on the day of the Battle of Badr. It is mentioned in the Prophet’s Household’s (as) exegesis that God Almighty will take vengeance of them through ‘Ali (as).[^1] Two points may be inferred from the blessed Verse in question.

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