(54) “We have certainly set forth for people in this Quran every kind of illustration, yet man is more argumentative than anything.”

Allah Most High speaks of the Quran’s greatness, majesty, and comprehensiveness, and states that He has set forth in it every kind of illustration—that is, every path leading to beneficial knowledge and everlasting happiness, and every path that protects from evil and ruin. It contains illustrations concerning what is lawful and unlawful, the recompense for deeds, encouragement and warning, and truthful accounts that benefit hearts by bringing them faith, tranquility, and light. All of this requires people to submit to this Quran, receive it with compliance and obedience, and refrain from disputing anything in it.

Nevertheless, many people dispute the truth after it has become clear and argue on the basis of falsehood “to invalidate the truth thereby.” He therefore says: “Yet man is more argumentative than anything”—that is, argument and contention are especially pronounced in him, even though this is neither fitting nor just on his part. The only things that have led him to this and to disbelief in Allah are wrongdoing and obstinacy, not any deficiency in the Quran’s clarification, proof, or evidence. Were punishment to come upon them, and were what befell those before them to befall them, they would not remain in this state. He therefore says: