ভূমিকা
Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be softened and humbled by Allah's Reminder, such that they be not amongst those upon whom the Divine Book was revealed and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened and many of them were disobedient to Allah? Different occasions of Revelation have been mentioned for the blessed Verse in question including the following.
Once the Noble Prophet's (S) adherents lived a hard life in famine in Mecca but after their migration they attained to abundance and bounties. Thus, the hearts of some of them were hardened whereas their faith, certitude, and devotion were supposed to be increased owing to their acquaintance with the Holy Qur’an.
Thus, the blessed Verse was revealed to serve as a warning to them.[^1] It is worthy of note that all the awakening and severe warnings reflected in the preceding blessed Verses and the account of the hypocrites' and disbelievers' dire fate on the Day of Resurrection lead to the conclusion in the blessed Verse in question by saying that the hearts of believers should be humbled against remembrance of God Almighty and Divine Revelation and they should not be like those, including Jews and Christians, upon whom Divine Books were sent down, but they kept aloof from the Prophets.
They lived long but failed to remember God Almighty. Their hearts were hardened and many of them were sinners and disobedient to Divine Commands.
The Arabic verbal form takhsha‘a derives from kh-sh-‘ denoting "observe manners against a notable person or an important truth.” It is crystal clear that when man remembers God Almighty in the bottom of his heart, listens to the blessed Verses revealed unto the Noble Prophet (S), and befittingly reflects upon the same, his heart must be softened and humbled.
However, some believers are harshly criticized in the blessed Verse in question by asking why their hearts are not humbled by such things but they, like many former nations, have plunged into neglect and negligence.