What the Qur'an teaches: Some are deaf to the Qur’an

The surah has so far spoken of the numerous signs that are all over the universe, pointing to God, the Creator of all. The Qur’an, revealed by God, highlights these universal signs in a way that inspires believers who have certainty of faith and who use their reason. In this way, it touches hearts and minds and addresses people’s natures. The profound link between human nature and the universe means that it only requires some inspiring words, such as the verses of the Qur’an, for senses to be alerted and made responsive. Anyone who does not believe as a result of contemplating these signs is totally unlikely to believe in some other way; and the one who is not fully alerted by the inspiring verses of the Qur’an will not be alerted by loud outcries from any other source: “Such are God’s signs that We recount to you, setting forth the truth. In what discourse will they then believe, if they deny God and His revelations?”
No words will be as effective as the Qur’an, God’s word. Nor will any creation be equal to God’s creation in the universe. Likewise, no truth will be as clear and confirmed as the truth of God: “In what discourse will they then believe, if they deny God and His revelations?”
The only requital fit to be given to an unbeliever is severe punishment: “Woe betide every lying, sinful person who hears God’s revelations being recited to him, and yet persists in his haughty disdain, as though he had not heard them. So, give him the news of painful suffering.”
These verses describe, in part, the unbelievers’ reception of the Islamic message in Makkah, their stubborn refusal to listen to the clear word of truth and their insistence on falsehood. They take a hostile attitude to the truth, as if it has never even been presented to them. These verses also mention the unbelievers’ rudeness and impudence as they speak of God and His word. The Qur’an severely rebukes them for this, putting before them the grievous and humiliating suffering they are certain to endure.
“Woe betide every lying, sinful person.”
This verse threatens every habitual liar who frequently indulges in sin. The threat is issued by God Almighty who is able to bring about the total destruction of any community, and whose promises and warnings always come true. This makes the warning all the more serious and frightening.
The mark of such a lying, sinful person is that he persistently holds on to what is false, looks with disdain on the truth, feels too proud to respond to God’s revelations and behaves with insolence towards God. He thus: “hears God’s revelations being recited to him, and yet persists in his haughty disdain, as though he had not heard them.” Although this hateful type of person could be found among the idolaters in Makkah, the same type is seen in every jahiliyah society, immersed in ignorance, whether in the past, present or future. Many are those all over the world, including some who are described as Muslims, who behave with disdain when they hear God’s revelations being recited and who persist in their erring ways as though they have never heard such revelations. They do so because what God has revealed is contrary to their desire and will not approve the evil and false practices in which they indulge.
“So, give him the news of painful suffering.” This statement describes the punishment such a person will receive, but the Arabic text uses the word bashshir for ‘giving news’, even though the word is only used for giving good news. As used in this verse to bring news of painful suffering, it thus carries connotations of ridicule. If this person does not listen to the warning, let him receive the news of his suffering in a voice that signals good news. What mockery!
“When he learns something of Our revelations, he ridicules it,” after learning their source. This is a far more serious and grave response. Yet it describes an oft found situation in every community that lives in a state of ignorance, or jahiliyah. How many are those, including some described as Muslims, who ridicule God’s revelations, mocking them and those who believe in them. “For such people there is humiliating suffering in store.” Humiliation is the fitting requital for everyone who ridicules God’s revelations.