(46–50) “Say, ‘I counsel you to do only one thing: stand before Allah, in pairs and individually, and then reflect. Your companion is not possessed by madness; he is only a warner to you before a severe punishment. Say, “Whatever reward I may have asked of you is yours. My reward rests only with Allah, and He is Witness over all things.” Say, “Indeed, my Lord casts forth the truth, the All-Knower of the unseen.”’”
That is, ⦗683⦘ “Say,” O Messenger, to these obstinate deniers who have set themselves to rejecting and denying the truth and maligning the one who brought it: “I counsel you to do only one thing”—that is, one course of action that I recommend and sincerely advise you to follow. It is an entirely fair course: I am not thereby calling upon you to accept my words or abandon your own without anything to warrant it. It is this: “Stand before Allah, in pairs and individually.” That is, rise with resolve, vigor, the intention of following what is right, and sincerity to Allah—gathering together to investigate and debate the matter, as well as doing so individually, each person addressing himself concerning it.
If you stand before Allah in pairs and individually, you will employ your reason, turn the matter over in your minds, and carefully consider the condition of your Messenger: Is he mad, exhibiting the speech, appearance, and characteristics of madmen? Or is he a truthful prophet warning you of what lies ahead—a severe punishment that will harm you?
Had they accepted and acted upon this counsel, it would have become clearer to them than to anyone else that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was not mad. His outward states (1) were not those of madmen in their choking fits, convulsions, and looks. Rather, his bearing was the finest of all, his movements the noblest, and he was the most perfect of creation in manners, composure, humility, and dignity—qualities found [only] in men of the soundest judgment.
Then [when] they considered his eloquent speech, his graceful expression, and his words—which fill hearts with security and faith, refine souls, purify hearts, inspire noble character, encourage admirable traits, and deter (2) people from evil and base conduct—and how, whenever he spoke, all eyes fixed upon him in awe, reverence, and veneration, could this resemble the incoherent babbling and wild ravings of madmen, or speech that reflects their condition?
Thus, anyone who reflects upon his condition with the aim of determining whether or not he is Allah’s Messenger—whether he reflects alone or with others—will conclude with certainty that he is truly Allah’s Messenger and genuinely His Prophet. This is especially true of those being addressed, for he is their companion, and they know both his earlier and later life.
There is another obstacle that may prevent people from following one who calls to the truth: the thought that he will take the wealth of those who respond to him and demand payment for his call. Allah Most High therefore declared His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) entirely free of this, saying: “Whatever reward I may have asked of you”—that is, for your following the truth—“is yours.” In other words: I call you to witness that any such supposed reward is yours. “My reward rests only with Allah, and He is Witness over all things.” That is, His knowledge fully encompasses the message to which I call you. If I were lying, He would seize me with His punishment. He is also Witness over your deeds: He will keep them all on record against you and then requite you for them.
After presenting the proofs establishing the truth of what is true and the falsity of what is false, Allah Most High stated that His established way and customary practice is to “hurl the truth against falsehood, crushing it, and behold, it vanishes.” For in this passage He set forth truths and thereby refuted the deniers’ claims in a manner that provides a lesson for those who take heed and a sign for those who reflect.
You can see how the deniers’ claims faded away, their lies and obstinacy became manifest, the truth appeared and shone brightly, and falsehood was invalidated and driven back. This was all through the clarification supplied by “the All-Knower of the unseen,” who knows the misgivings and specious doubts concealed within hearts, and knows the proofs that confront and dispel them.