(40–45) “Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind and those who are in manifest error? * If We take you away, We will surely exact retribution from them. * Or We may show you what We have promised them, for We have full power over them. * So hold firmly to what has been revealed to you. You are indeed upon a straight path. * It is surely an honor for you and your people, and you will be questioned. * Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We ever appoint gods besides the Most Compassionate to be worshipped?”
Allah Most High says to His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, consoling him for the deniers’ refusal to respond to him and explaining that there is no goodness or purity within them to impel them toward guidance: “Can you make the deaf hear”—that is, those who do not hear—“or guide the blind,” who do not see, or guide “those who are in manifest error”—that is, error that is plain and evident, for they know of their misguidance and are content with it?
Just as the deaf cannot hear sounds, the blind cannot see, and one who is manifestly astray cannot find guidance, these people’s natural dispositions and minds have become corrupted through their turning away from the Reminder. They have adopted corrupt beliefs and vile traits that prevent them from receiving guidance, stand between them and it, and ensure that they sink ever deeper into ruin. Nothing remains for them but punishment and exemplary chastisement, either in this world or in the Hereafter. Allah Most High therefore says:
“If We take you away, We will surely exact retribution from them.” That is, if We take you away before showing you the punishment We have promised them, then know from Our truthful declaration that We will exact retribution from them.
“Or We may show you what We have promised them” of punishment, “for We have full power over them.” This, however, depends upon whether wisdom requires that it be hastened or delayed. Such is your condition and that of these deniers.
As for you, “hold firmly to what has been revealed to you” by acting upon it, adopting the qualities it commands, calling others to it, and diligently striving to implement it in yourself and others. “You are indeed upon a straight path” leading to Allah and to His abode of honor. Knowing that it is truth, justice, and honesty should make you hold to it even more firmly and remain guided by it. You will then be building upon a sound and firm foundation, while others build upon doubts and illusions, oppression and injustice.
“It”—that is, this noble Quran—“is surely an honor for you and your people.” It is a source of pride for you, a magnificent virtue, and a blessing whose worth cannot be measured and whose excellence cannot be adequately described. It also reminds you of what brings good in this world and the Hereafter and urges you ⦗767⦘ toward it, while reminding you of evil and warning you away from it. “And you will be questioned” about it: Did you uphold it and thereby rise in rank and benefit, or did you fail to uphold it, so that it became proof against you and your failure became an act of ingratitude for this blessing?
“Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We ever appoint gods besides the Most Compassionate to be worshipped?”—so that the polytheists might have some kind of proof by following one of the messengers. If you were to ask them and inquire into their teachings, you would not find a single one of them calling people to take another god alongside Allah. Rather, all the messengers, from first to last, called people to worship Allah alone, without any partner. Allah Most High says: “We certainly sent a messenger to every nation, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.’” Every messenger sent by Allah said to his people, “Worship Allah; you have no god other than Him.” This demonstrates that the polytheists have no basis for their polytheism, whether in sound reason or in any teaching transmitted from the messengers.