(22) “Who does greater wrong than one who is reminded of the signs of his Lord and then turns away from them? We will surely exact retribution from the criminals.”

That is, no one is more unjust or more grievous in transgression than one who is reminded of the signs of his Lord, which his Lord conveyed to him—He who seeks to nurture him and perfect His favor upon him through His messengers. These signs command him and remind him of what serves his religious and worldly welfare, and forbid him from what harms him in his religion and worldly life. This calls for him to respond with faith, submission, obedience, and gratitude. Yet this wrongdoer responds in precisely the opposite manner: he neither believes in them nor follows them; rather, he turns away from them and casts them behind his back. Such a person is among the greatest criminals, who deserve severe retribution. Hence He says: “We will surely exact retribution from the criminals.”