Overview (Verses 107 - 108)

Enlightened Advocacy of Divine Faith
 
Now the question arises: what are those people waiting for when they continue to turn away and pay no heed to all the signs that are present in the universe pointing to God and His oneness? What are they waiting for after they have turned away from God’s revelations, for which they have been asked no recompense? “Do they feel confident that the overwhelming scourge of God’s punishment will not fall upon them, or that the Last Hour will not come upon them suddenly, taking them unaware.” (Verse 107)
 
This is a powerful touch which is meant to wake them up and shed their negligent attitude, so that they do not suffer its aftermath. The timing of God’s punishment is unknown to anyone. It may strike them suddenly, or it may be that the Last Hour is so near, and the Day of Judgement, with all its suffering may come suddenly, taking them unaware. The doors leading to the world beyond are all closed, allowing no eye or ear to penetrate through it. No one knows what the next moment brings. How is it that those who turn away from God’s signs feel secure?
 
The verses of the Qur’ān, which embody God’s message, are within their grasp, and the signs God has placed in the universe are also there for all to behold and contemplate. But most people pass by both paying no heed, associating partners with God, either openly or in a subtle way. God’s Messenger, however, will follow his own way, joined by those who follow him, maintaining the right path, without any deviation, and allowing nothing to influence their determination to follow it. “Say ‘This is my way. I call [all mankind] to God on the basis of sure knowledge, I and all those who follow me. Limitless is God in His glory. I am not one of those who associate partners with Him.’“ (Verse 108)
 
“Say: ‘This is my way.’“ (Verse 108) It is a straightforward road, without any crookedness or concealed turns. There is no doubt about its being the right path. “I call [all mankind] to God on the basis of sure knowledge, I and all those who follow me.” (Verse 108) We follow God’s guidance which illuminates our way for us. We follow it with open eyes, knowledge and understanding. There is no groping in the dark or following sudden whims or fancies that lack solid foundation. We attribute to God nothing that does not suit His Lordship of the universe. We abandon those who associate partners with Him and show ourselves to follow a road that is completely distinct from any that is followed by those who associate partners with Him. “Limitless is God in His glory. I am not one of those who associate partners with Him.” (Verse 108) I do no such thing, neither openly nor subtly. This is my way. Whoever wishes to follow me may do so. As for me, I am going along, regardless of who may wish to follow a different way.
 
The advocates of the divine cause must make this distinction very clearly. They must declare that they belong to a separate community that is distinct from anyone who does not belong to their faith, follow their way and obey their leadership. It is not sufficient that they should call on people to follow their religion while they themselves continue to be part of un-Islamic society. Such advocacy is of little value and produces little return. It is imperative that they should declare, right at the outset, that they are different from ignorant communities, and that they have their own distinctive community based on the bond of faith, and following Islamic leadership. They must distinguish themselves and their leadership from un-Islamic society and its leadership. If they stay within that society and constitute a part of it, deferring to its leadership, they undermine all the authority of their faith, all the results their message may achieve, and all the attraction that message may have.
 
This fact does not apply merely to Islamic advocacy among idolaters in pre- Islamic Arabia. It applies every time a state of jāhiliyyah prevails. Jāhiliyyah in the twentieth century does not differ, in its basic elements or distinctive features, from any other state of ignorance, or jāhiliyyah, which the Islamic message has had to face in any period of history.
 
Those who believe that they may achieve something by being diluted within un- Islamic society, or by presenting the message of Islam in a subtle way through such a society are mistaken. They do not fully understand the nature of the Islamic faith and how it appeals to hearts and minds. The advocates of atheism declare their identity and their goals. Would not the advocates of Islam declare their true identity and make their way clear? Would they not make clear that the route they follow is totally different from that of jāhiliyyah?