Surah al-An`am (The Cattle) 6 : 124

Explanatory Note

The surah reveals the arrogant nature of those who are hostile towards God’s messengers and His religion. It is their arrogance which prevents them from surrendering themselves to God because that would place them on the same level as the rest of God’s servants. They want a place of distinction to preserve their positions among their followers. They feel that it is beneath them to believe in the Prophet after having enjoyed a position of lordship over others. Hence, they come out with their singularly stupid declaration: “When a sign comes to them, they say: ‘We shall not believe unless we are given the same as God’s messengers were given.’“

Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah, one of the tribal chiefs of the Quraysh, said to the Prophet: “Had prophethood been true, I would have been more entitled to it than you, because I am older and richer than you.” Abu Jahl, the most hardened opponent of Islam among the Quraysh said: “By God, we shall never accept or follow Muhammad, unless we are given revelations just as he receives.”

It is clear that their self-esteem and the special position they enjoyed among their followers and the fact that their orders were obeyed were the real reasons to justify their opposition and hostility to God’s messengers and the divine faith. God replies to their singular statement by making it clear first that the question of choosing messengers to be entrusted with His message is something that He determines in accordance with His knowledge of who may be trusted with it. He then warns them that they will suffer great humiliation: “God knows best whom to entrust with His message. Humiliation before God and severe suffering will befall those guilty of evildoing for all their scheming.” 

The divine message is something very serious because it provides a link between God’s will and a single one of His servants, and between the supreme society and the limited world of human beings. Through the message a linkage is made between heaven and earth, this life and the life to come. The eternal truth is placed in human hearts and implemented in human society and becomes the initiator of historical events. A human being is purged of every trace of self-interest so that he or she may be totally dedicated to God, not only in intention, purpose and action, but in their whole being. Thus, God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) has a direct link with this truth and its source. Such a direct link can only be established with a soul that is worthy of this honour, of receiving the truth directly without impediments. God alone knows whom to entrust with His message. He chooses that person from among billions of people, and assigns to him his mission.

This is followed with a warning that humiliation and severe suffering awaits those criminals: “Humiliation before God and severe suffering will befall those guilty of evildoing for all their scheming.” The humiliation is an answer to their arrogance and their impudent aspiration to be given divine messages. Their severe suffering is a fitting retribution for their scheming and hostility towards God’s messengers and the believers.