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Explanatory Note
In his scholarly commentary on the Qur’ān, Ibn Kathīr mentions that the person who said this was al-Nađr ibn al-Ĥārith: Al-Nađr had been to the Persian Empire where he learnt Persian history and read accounts of past Persian kings, such as Rustam and Isfandayar. When he returned home, he saw God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) after he had been entrusted with God’s message, and he listened to him reciting the Qur’ān to people. When the Prophet finished talking to any group of people, al-Nađr would sit with them and tell them stories of those ancient kings. He would then ask them: ‘Tell me, by God, who tells better stories: I or Muĥammad?’ Hence, when he fell captive on the day of the Battle of Badr, the Prophet ordered that he should be executed. His order was carried out, thank God. It was in reference to al-Nađr and what he used to say about the Qur’ān that this verse was revealed: “Whenever Our revelations are recited to them, they would say: ‘We have heard them. If we wanted, we could certainly compose the like of this. This is nothing but fables of the ancients.’“ This was only one episode in a chain of manoeuvres which they attempted in order to resist the Qur’ān and stop its profound effect. They realized that the Qur’ān put its address to human nature, based on the truth implanted in its very constitution. Hence, its response was bound to be positive. It confronted minds with its overpowering authority and they yielded to its irrefutable logic. Therefore, the elders of the Quraysh concocted some manoeuvres which they knew to be without foundation. Nevertheless, they tried to find in the Qur’ān something similar to the fables and legends of ancient communities in order to spread confusion among the masses. Their aim was simply to maintain their sway over those masses. What is remarkable about the Qur’ān is that it remains overpowering, despite the ever more sophisticated schemes that seek to undermine it. This divine book has such remarkable characteristics and such great appeal to human nature that it is able to overcome all the scheming of the forces of evil on earth. It is true that they broadcast it only after they have succeeded in reducing it in the minds of the Muslim masses to little more than hymns and recitals, or charms and talismans. Nevertheless, there will continue to be a Muslim community that assigns to the Qur’ān its proper position, making it its only source of guidance. This community awaits the fulfilment of God’s promise of victory.