(16–17) “Has the time not yet come for the hearts of those who believe to humble themselves at the remembrance of Allah and at the truth that has been revealed, and for them not to become like those who were given the Scripture before? A long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened, and many of them are defiantly disobedient. * Know that Allah revives the earth after its death. We have made the signs clear to you so that you may understand.”
After mentioning the condition of the believing men and women and the hypocrite men and women in the Hereafter, which ought to call hearts to humility before their Lord and submission to His greatness, Allah reproached the believers [for failing to do so], saying: “Has the time not yet come for the hearts of those who believe to humble themselves at the remembrance of Allah and at the truth that has been revealed?”
That is: Has the time not come (1) when their hearts should soften (2) and become humble at the remembrance of Allah—which is the Quran—and submit to its commands and prohibitions, and to the revealed truth brought by Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace? This encourages striving to make the heart humble before Allah Most High and before what He has revealed of the Book and wisdom. The believers should continually take heed of the divine admonitions and legal rulings and call themselves to account in that regard.
“And for them not to become like those who were given the Scripture before, but a long period passed over them.” That is, they should not be like those to whom Allah revealed a Scripture that required humility of heart and complete submission, but who neither remained upon it nor stood firm. Instead, a long time passed and they persisted in heedlessness, so their faith withered and their certainty vanished. “Thus their hearts hardened, and many of them are defiantly disobedient.” Hearts therefore need, at all times, to be reminded of what Allah has revealed and addressed with wisdom. This must not be neglected, for such neglect (3) leads to hardness of heart and dryness of the eyes.
“Know that Allah revives the earth after its death. We have made the signs clear to you so that you may understand.” The signs lead sound minds to knowledge of divine truths. He who revives the earth after its death is able to revive the dead after their death and recompense them for their deeds. He who revives the earth after its death with rainwater is likewise able to revive dead hearts through the truth He revealed to His Messenger. This verse indicates that anyone who is not guided by Allah’s signs and does not submit to Allah’s revealed laws has no true understanding.