(208–212) “Never did We destroy a town without it having warners, as a reminder; and We were never unjust. Nor was it the devils who brought this down. It neither befits them nor are they capable of doing so. Indeed, they are barred from hearing it.”

Allah Most High informs us of His perfect justice in destroying those who reject the truth: He never inflicted destruction and punishment upon a town until He had left its people no excuse, sending warners among them with clear signs to call them to guidance and forbid them from following the path to ruin. They reminded them of Allah’s signs and drew their attention to the days on which He bestowed blessings or inflicted punishment.

“As a reminder” to them and to establish the proof against them. “And We were never unjust” by destroying towns before warning their people or seizing them while they were unaware of the warning. As Allah Most High says, “We would never punish until We had sent a messenger,” and, “Messengers bringing good tidings and giving warning, so that humankind would have no argument against Allah after the messengers.”

Having made clear the perfection and majesty of the Quran, Allah Most High declared it free of every imperfection and protected it—both at the time of its revelation and thereafter—from the devils among jinn and humankind. He said, “Nor was it the devils who brought this down. It neither befits them”—that is, it neither accords with their nature nor suits them—“nor are they capable of doing so.”

“Indeed, they are barred from hearing it.” They have been kept far away from it, and flaming missiles have been prepared against them to safeguard it. Gabriel brought it down—the mightiest of the angels, whom no devil could approach or even hover anywhere near. This is like His saying, “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and We will surely preserve it.”