[Al-Dhāriyāt: 13, 14]. Thus, those people burned the believing men and believing women in the Fire.

Others said that ﴿persecuted them﴾ means that they sought to turn them away from their religion. The correct view is that the verse encompasses both meanings. We should understand that the meanings of the Noble Quran extend beyond our comprehension and that, however intelligent and perceptive we may be, we shall never encompass it in knowledge. The principle in Quranic exegesis is that if a verse admits two meanings, there is nothing to give either precedence over the other, and the two do not conflict, then it is interpreted as conveying both. We therefore say that they persecuted the believers by seeking to bar them from Allah’s path, and they also persecuted them by burning them. ﴿And then did not repent﴾ means that they did not return to Allah, turning from disobedience to obedience. ﴿They shall have the punishment of Hell, and they shall have the torment of burning﴾ because they burned Allah’s servants who were close to Him; their recompense therefore corresponded to their deed—a fitting recompense. How vast is the difference between the fire of this world and the Fire of the Hereafter! The latter exceeds the former by ninety-nine parts.

Among the lessons of these verses is that Allah—Glorified and Exalted—may give His enemies power over His devoted servants. So do not be astonished if Allah—Mighty and Majestic—allows the unbelievers to prevail over the believers, killing and burning them and violating their honor. Do not be astonished, for Allah Most High has wisdom in this. The afflicted believers have an immense reward with Allah. As for these transgressing unbelievers, Allah—Glorified and Exalted—grants them respite and gradually draws them on from where they do not know. The Muslims who remain have a lesson and admonition in what befell their brothers.

For example, we hear of the terrible abuses taking place: violations of honor, destruction of property, and the starvation of children and elderly women. We hear things that make one weep, and we say, “Glory be to Allah! How is it that Allah has allowed such power to be wielded over these believers?” We reply, “My brother, do not be astonished. Allah—Glorified and Exalted—has given us examples from earlier nations, in which believers were burned with fire.” The fact that these people have been given power over our brothers in Muslim lands serves to raise the ranks of those afflicted and expiate their sins. It is a lesson for those who remain, and it is also a means by which these unbelievers are lured onward and emboldened to grow more oppressive, whereupon Allah—Mighty and Majestic—seizes them with the seizure of One Almighty and Omnipotent.