Surah al-Qasas (The Stories) 28 : 48

Overview (Verses 48 - 51)

This is what they would have said had not a messenger been sent to them with sufficient proofs and signs to make them see the truth for what it is. Yet even when the Messenger came to them with the irrefutable truth, they still would not follow him: Now when the truth has come to them from Us, they say: “Why has he not been given the like of what Moses was given?’ But did they not deny the truth of what Moses was formerly given? Indeed they said: ‘These are two kinds of sorcery, each supporting the other’ And they add: ‘We reject both of them.’ (Verse 48)

They would not admit the truth. On the contrary, they continued to give false excuses so as to justify their rejection. They also asked why this Messenger was not given the like of what Moses was given, referring to both the physical miracles and the tablets.

Clearly, their objections were dishonest. Hence, the Qur’ān puts the following question to them: “But did they not deny the truth of what Moses was formerly given?” (Verse 48) There were Jews in Arabia who had the Torah, but the Arabs neither accepted this nor believed in it. They were also aware that the Torah gives a clear description of Muhammad (peace be upon him). They also sought the advice of some followers of earlier religions asking them about Muhammad’s message. In turn, those learned ones answered them that it was true, fully consistent with their own revelations. Yet still the idolaters would not accept such assertions. They claimed that both the Torah and the Qur’ān were magic; hence, each confirmed the other: “Indeed they said: ‘These are two kinds of sorcery, each supporting the other:’ And they add: ‘We reject both of them.’“ (Verse 48) It is all, then, argument for argument’s sake. It has nothing to do with the proper pursuit of the truth, nor with proper evidence to confirm it.

Nevertheless, the Qur’ān takes a further step to put the truth before them. It says: If you like neither the Qur’ān nor the Torah, then show me a divine writ which provides better guidance than these two books and I will follow it: “Say: ‘Produce, then, a Book from God which would offer better guidance than these two and I shall follow it, if what you say be true!” (Verse 49) Nothing, then, could be fairer. Whoever rejects the truth after this is merely being obstinate, following his own desire with little concern about evidence to support his position: But if they do not respond to you, then know that they are following only their own whims. Who could be more astray than one who follows his own whims without any guidance from God. Certainly God does not guide those who are wrongdoing. (Verse 50)

The truth is clear in this Qur’ān, and the argument Islam presents is clear and powerful. Anyone who knows Islam well but who still rejects it is only doing so because he prefers to pursue his own desires. There are only two ways: either commitment to the truth which breaks the grip of desire, and leads to submission and acceptance of the faith, or evading the truth and pursuing desire, which means rejecting the truth and denying faith. The unbelievers cannot present any argument on the basis of ambiguity, confusion or lack of proof. “But if they do not respond to you, then know that they are following only their own whims.” (Verse 50) This is a fact that allows no argument as it is clearly stated by God. Those who do not respond positively to this faith pursue their own desire and self-interest. They have no excuse. They offer no sound argument as they turn away from the truth. “Who could be more astray than one who follows his own whims without any guidance from God.” (Verse 50) In this they are also transgressors and wrongdoers: “Certainly God does not guide those who are wrongdoing.” (Verse 50)

The Qur’ān leaves no excuse for those who claim that they have not understood its message, or who claim that they do not comprehend Islam. Once this faith is presented and explained to them, all argument ceases and excuses are futile. The Qur’ān is indeed the epitome of clarity. No one denies it except those who are deliberate wrongdoers: they wrong themselves and are unjust to the truth. As such they do not deserve divine guidance: “God does not guide those who are wrongdoing.” (Verse 50) As the message is given to them, the issues are set out clearly and no excuse can be made for turning away: “We have indeed caused this word [of Ours] to reach them so that they may reflect.” (Verse 51)