They say: “If we were to follow the guidance along with you, we would be torn away from our land.” Have We not given them a secure sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things, as a provision from Us? But most of them have no knowledge. How many a community that exulted in its life (of ease and plenty) have We destroyed. The dwellings they left behind were but scarcely inhabited. It is We who are the only heirs. Your Lord would never destroy a community without first sending them a messenger who would recite to them Our revelations. Never would We destroy a community unless its people are intent on wrongdoing. Whatever you are given is but for the enjoyment of life in this world and for its embellishment, but that which is with God is much better and more enduring. Will you not use your reason? Is the one to whom We have given a goodly promise which he shall certainly see fulfilled comparable to one whom We have given much of the enjoyment of this world but who, on Resurrection Day, will be one of those brought before Us? (The Story, Al-Qasas: 28: 57-61)
The unbelievers in Makkah used to express fears about what might happen to them if they were to believe in the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) message. These are echoed today by many who fear what powerful countries might do to any Muslim country that tries to implement Islam in full. The surah shows how absurd these fears are and makes clear that real security comes from belief in God and following His guidance.
“Have We not given them a secure sanctuary to which are brought the fruits of all things, as a provision from Us.” (Verse 57) How could they fear being overpowered when they follow divine guidance? Is it not God who established the Sacred Mosque for them by the efforts of their first father, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)? Is it logical that the One who gave them security when they disobeyed Him would then leave them to be torn apart when they do what pleases Him? “But most of them have no knowledge.” (Verse 57) They do not know where security lies and where fear comes from. They do not know that everything is determined by God Almighty.
If they really want to be spared aggression and loss of their lands, then they should avoid the causes of ruin: “How many a community that exulted in its life (of ease and plenty) have We destroyed. The dwellings they left behind were but scarcely inhabited.
It is We who are the only heirs.” (Verse 58) To be ungrateful and show no thanks for God’s blessings is the reason that causes people’s ruin. The Quraysh had been given this sanctuary where they lived. They should beware of remaining ungrateful. If they continue so doing, they will leave themselves open to God’s punishment. They, thus, run the risk of being destroyed like the dwellers of those cities which they knew, the dwellings of destroyed communities which remain uninhabited: “The dwellings they left behind were but scarcely inhabited.” (Verse 58) Their houses are still standing, telling of what happened to the people who took God’s blessings for granted, never giving due thanks for them. They perished, leaving no offspring to inherit them. Thus, “it is We who are the only heirs.” (Verse 58)
Yet God did not destroy those ungrateful communities without first sending a messenger to recite to them His revelations. This is the law to which He has committed Himself as an act of mercy: “Your Lord would never destroy a community without first sending them a messenger who would recite to them Our revelations. Never would We destroy a community unless its people are intent on wrongdoing.” (Verse 59) The purpose behind sending a messenger into the main population center is that it becomes a focal point from which the divine message is delivered to neighboring areas and further afield. Thus, no one will have the excuse of not knowing the divine message.
The Prophet was sent to Makkah, the main center in Arabia, warning its people of the fate that befell earlier communities that denied their messengers after receiving God’s warnings. “Never would We destroy a community unless its people are intent on wrongdoing.” Such people continue to deny God’s revelations and messages, even though they know them to be true.
Yet all the enjoyments, pleasures, possessions and wealth that are available in this life, as well as the land where God has granted them power, the produce He has given them and all that mankind has ever enjoyed throughout life on earth are all but scanty when measured against what God has in store: “Whatever you are given is but for the enjoyment of life in this world and for its embellishment, but that which is with God is much better and more enduring. Will you not use your reason?” (Verse 60)
This is the ultimate valuation. It applies not only to what they fear to lose of possessions, land or security, or to what God grants them of power, riches and enjoyment, or to what He gives to different people to enjoy. It is the ultimate valuation of all that this life brings, even when it is in its perfect state and made to last without interruption or consequences.
It is all part of “the enjoyment of life in this world and for its embellishment.” It counts for little when compared with that which God has. For that is by nature “much better and more enduring.” Hence the question is asked: “Will you not use your reason?” Comparing the two necessitates sound reasoning that knows the nature of both types. Hence the verse ends with this question. It alerts its addressees to the need to use their reason.
The round thus concludes with setting the two lives side by side, giving everyone the ability to choose: “Is the one to whom We have given a goodly promise which he shall certainly see fulfilled comparable to one whom We have given much of the enjoyment of this world but who, on Resurrection Day, will be one of those brought before Us?” (Verse 61)
On the one side we see those given a good promise by God and they find it on the Day of Judgment to be true. On the other, are those who took all the enjoyment life in this world could give, little and short as it is. They are forcibly brought forth on the Day of Resurrection for their deeds to be accounted for. The way this verse is phrased suggests that they are forced to come forward, afraid, dreading the outcome of the reckoning.
This is indeed the final word in reply to their earlier excuses expressing their fear that they will loose their land if they follow divine guidance. Even if this were to come about, it would still be better than being forcibly brought before God for reckoning and reward. For, following divine guidance brings security and power on earth and rich reward in the hereafter. It is only those who are totally oblivious of the true nature of power in the universe, who are unaware of where security lies and what causes fear that abandon divine guidance. They are the losers who make a poor choice. They cannot avoid their inevitable ruin.
