from Allah’s admonitions. The meaning is that Allah, Exalted is He, forbids the believers from being like the Jews and Christians in their relationship with the Quran: those whose hearts hardened when a long time had passed over them.

It is related that Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari sent for the Quran reciters of Basra. Three hundred men who had recited the Quran entered upon him, and he said to them: “You are the best and the reciters among the people of Basra. So recite it, and do not let a long time pass over you, lest your hearts harden as the hearts of those before you hardened.” (1)

“And many of them are defiantly disobedient,” meaning those who abandoned faith in Jesus and Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them both.

“Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death. We have made the signs clear to you so that you may understand. Indeed, the charitable men and charitable women, and those who lend Allah a goodly loan—it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.” (17–18)