Surah al-`Ankabut (The Spider ) 29 : 47

Explanatory Note

This verse begins with ‘thus it is’, indicating that the revelation of the Qur’ān to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) followed the same rule and method of revelation to earlier prophets and messengers. “Thus it is that We have revealed this book to you.” In their attitude towards it, people divided into two groups: the first, composed of some of those who followed earlier revelations and some Arabs of the Quraysh, accepted it as true and believed in it; the second rejected it despite the testimony given by people of earlier divine religions that it was true and confirmed their own revelations: “None knowingly rejects Our revelations other than the unbelievers.” These new revelations are so clear and straightforward that they will not be denied except by those who deliberately shut their minds and spirits to them, refusing to reflect on them. The Arabic word kufr and its derivative kāfirūn, which respectively mean ‘unbelief’ and ‘unbelievers’, denote in their original linguistic ‘cover, screen, etc.’ Hence, the use of the word unbelievers in this instance stresses such connotations.