Surah al-Furqan (The Criterion ) 25 : 52

Explanatory Note

This Qur’ān has great power and influence. It is irresistible. When God’s Messenger addressed the Arabs with it, it shook their hearts and consciences. They tried hard to counter its effects, employing every means at their disposal, but all their efforts were useless. The Quraysh elders used to say to their people: “Do not listen to this Qur’ān, but rather talk frivolously about it, so that you might gain the upper hand.” (41: 26) This betrayed their profound fear that the Qur’ān would touch their own hearts and the hearts of their followers and that they would embrace Islam. They were aware that it took only the reading of a couple of verses, or perhaps a sūrah or two, by Muhammad, and listeners were so affected they accepted his message. To them, it seemed like the Qur’ān had a magic effect on people.

The elders of the Quraysh were themselves touched by the power of the Qur’ān. It was only because they were keenly aware of this profound effect that they resorted to such tactics, warning their people against listening to it and encouraging them to take it frivolously. Indeed, their statement is indicative of how worried they were about the effect of the Qur’ān.