In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
We do not charge a soul with more than it can bear. We have a record that speaks the truth. None shall be wronged.
Nay, their hearts are blind to all this. But apart from all that, they have deeds, which they will continue to commit.
Then, when We shall have overwhelmed with suffering those of them who live in luxury, they cry out in belated supplication.
(But they will be told:) Do not cry out this day, for from Us you shall receive no help. Time and again were My revelations recited to you, but every time you would turn about on your heels, reveling in your arrogance, and talking senselessly far into the night.
Have they, then, never tried to understand this word (of God)? Or has there come to them something that never came to their forefathers of old?
Or do they not recognize their Messenger, and so they deny him?
Or do they say that there is in him a touch of madness? Nay, he has brought them the truth; and the truth do most of them detest.
(The Believers, Al—Muminoon: 23: 62—70)
Islam keeps its followers’ hearts on the alert. It is an alertness generated by faith as it touches a human heart. It neither defies human power, nor is too hard for man to sustain. It is a question of sensitivity enhanced by a believer’s bond with God and his watchfulness in all situations, guarding against falling in sin. It is perfectly within people’s power when the light of faith shines in their hearts: “We do not charge a soul with more than it can bear. We have a record that speaks the truth. None shall be wronged.”
God has established people’s duties as He knows of their inclination and ability. He will hold them to account on the basis of what they do within their ability. He neither charges them with what they cannot bear, nor dismisses any little thing they may do. All their deeds are documented in a ‘record that speaks the truth,’ highlighting it in its full value. Needless to say, God is most accurate in reckoning.
People, however, tend to overlook the truth because their hearts are not touched by its invigorating light. Hence, they remain preoccupied with their petty concerns, lost in a perpetual maze. They are only awakened when they face their inevitable doom, facing the suffering coupled with strong reproach: “Nay, their hearts are blind to all this. But apart from all that, they have deeds, which they will continue to commit. Then, when We shall have overwhelmed with suffering those of them that live in luxury, they cry out in belated supplication. (But they will be told:) Do not cry out this day, for from Us you shall receive no help. Time and again were My revelations recited to you, but every time you would turn about on your heels, reveling in your arrogance, and talking senselessly far into the night.”
Thus, the reason for their falling headlong in the pursuit of their worldly affairs is nothing like being burdened with what they cannot bear. The reason is simply that their hearts are blinded, unable to see the truth as clearly stated in the Qur’an. They are wont to follow a line different from the course charted by the Qur’an: “They have deeds which they will continue to commit.”
The surah then paints the scene of their being awakened by a sudden calamity: “When We shall have overwhelmed with suffering those of them that live in luxury, they cry out in belated supplication.” People who live in luxury are indeed the ones who are most preoccupied with life comforts, totally oblivious of what lies ahead. Now they find themselves suddenly overtaken by suffering, and they cry out for mercy, making a passionate appeal for it to be lifted. It is a picture that contrasts with the life of luxury and arrogance they lead in this world. Hence, they receive a strong reproach: “DO not cry out this day, for from Us you shall receive no help.” The scene is described as though it is taking place now. They are subjected to strong reproach, made certain of having no support, and reminded of what they used to do in their life: “Time and again were My revelations recited to you, but every time you would turn about on your heels, reveling in your arrogance, and talking senselessly far into the night.” It is as though what was being recited was a danger or a calamity you needed to avoid. Yet you felt too proud to submit to the truth. You indeed compounded your insolence, adding insult to injury, speaking ill of the Prophet and his message when you spend hours in your idle talk.
It was their common practice that they used obscene language when they gathered in their circles around the Kaaba, close to the idols they worshipped. Now the Qur’an paints for them the scene when they are called to account for their indulgence, showing them raising their voices with cries for help. It is at that point that they are reminded of what they do now in their circles, as though it is taking place at the same time. This is a familiar method of the Qur’an, frequently painting the scenes of the Day of Judgment as though they are taking place at the present moment.
In their hostile attitude to the Prophet and their disparaging remarks about him and about the Qur’an in their gatherings, those unbelievers represent ignorant arrogance. With such blind ignorance, the truth becomes a subject of ridicule. Such people are encountered in all times and places. The state of ignorance that prevailed in Arabia at the time when the Islamic message was revealed was only an example of many similar states of ignorance that prevailed in the past and that may prevail time and again in different societies.
Having shown them this scene of reproach in the hereafter, the surah takes them back to this world, questioning them about their singular attitude: What stops them from accepting what God’s messenger, whom they had always known to be a man of trust, tells them? What doubts do they have to prevent them from following divine guidance? Why do they turn away from it, ridiculing it in their circles when it represents the absolute truth? “Have they, then, never tried to understand this word (of God)? Or has there come to them something that never came to their forefathers of old? Or do they not recognize their Messenger, and so they deny him? Or do they say that there is in him a touch of madness? Nay, he has brought them the truth; and the truth do most of them detest.”
The message Muhammad (peace be upon him) preached could not be rejected by anyone who looks at it carefully, using his reason. It is a model of beauty, perfection, consistency and attraction. It fits with human nature, addresses people’s minds and hearts, outlines a course for the elevation of human life and lays down a fine constitution to follow and a perfect code of justice. It also includes what answers the needs of human nature and helps its development and advancement. “Have they, then, never tried to understand this word (of God)?” This is, then, the secret behind their attitude.
