(26–27) “Indeed, Allah is not ashamed to set forth any parable—even that of a mosquito or anything above it. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord. But those who disbelieve say, ‘What did Allah intend by this parable?’ Through it He leads many astray and guides many; yet He leads none astray through it except the defiantly disobedient—* those who break Allah’s covenant after it has been confirmed, sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on earth. It is they who are the losers.”
Allah says, “Indeed, Allah is not ashamed to set forth any parable”—that is, any parable whatsoever—“even that of a mosquito or anything above it,” because parables contain wisdom and make the truth clear, and Allah is not ashamed of the truth. This appears to be a response to those who objected to parables being drawn from insignificant things and criticized Allah for doing so. There are no grounds for such an objection. Rather, this is part of Allah’s instruction to His servants and His mercy toward them, and it must therefore be received with acceptance and gratitude. Hence He says, “Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord”; they understand these parables and reflect upon them.
If they come to know in detail what they contain, their knowledge and faith thereby increase. Otherwise, they still know that the parables are true and that what they contain is true, even if the manner in which they embody the truth remains hidden from them, because they know that Allah did not set them forth in vain, but rather for consummate wisdom and as an abundant blessing.
“But those who disbelieve say, ‘What did Allah intend by this parable?’” They object and become bewildered, increasing in disbelief on top of their disbelief, just as the believers increase in faith on top of their faith. Hence He says, “Through it He leads many astray and guides many.” This is the condition of believers and disbelievers when Quranic verses are revealed. Allah says, “Whenever a surah is revealed, some of them ask, ‘Which of you has this increased in faith?’ As for those who believe, it increases them in faith, and they rejoice. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease, it adds impurity to their impurity, and they die as disbelievers.” No blessing bestowed upon the servants is greater than the revelation of the Quranic verses. Yet, for some people, they become a trial, bewilderment [and misguidance], adding evil to their evil; while for others, they become a gift [and mercy], adding good to their good. Glory be to Him who has made such distinctions among His servants and who alone guides and leads astray.
He then mentions His wisdom in leading astray those whom He leads astray, and that this is justice on His part, exalted is He (1), saying, “Yet He leads none astray through it except the defiantly disobedient”—that is, those who depart from obedience to Allah and stubbornly oppose Allah’s messengers. Defiant disobedience has become their defining trait, and they seek no substitute for it. His wisdom therefore entails leading them astray because they are unfit for guidance, just as His wisdom and grace entail guiding those who possess faith and adorn themselves with righteous deeds.
Defiant disobedience is of two kinds. One kind takes a person outside the religion: it is the defiant disobedience that entails departure from faith, such as that mentioned in this verse and similar verses. The other kind does not take a person outside faith, as in the words of Allah: “O you who believe, if a defiantly disobedient person brings you news, verify it” [the rest of the verse].
He then describes the defiantly disobedient, saying, “Those who break Allah’s covenant after it has been confirmed.” This includes the covenant between them and Him (2), as well as that between them and His servants (3), which He made binding upon them through solemn pledges and obligations. They pay no heed to these covenants; rather, they break them, abandon His commands, commit what He has forbidden, and violate the agreements between themselves and other people.
⦗48⦘
“And sever what Allah has commanded to be joined.” This encompasses many things. Allah has commanded us to maintain our bond with Him by believing in Him and fulfilling our servitude to Him; our bond with His Messenger by believing in him, loving and supporting him, and fulfilling his rights; and our bonds with our parents, relatives, companions, and all other people by fulfilling those rights (4) that Allah has commanded us to uphold.
The believers maintain everything Allah has commanded to be joined among these rights and fulfill them in the most complete manner. The defiantly disobedient, however, sever them and cast them behind their backs, exchanging them for defiant disobedience, the severing of ties, and the commission of sins—which is corruption on earth.
Such people—those bearing this description—“are the losers” in this world and the Hereafter. Loss is confined to them because it encompasses every aspect of their condition, and they have no share whatsoever in gain. This is because faith is a prerequisite for every righteous deed; whoever has no faith has no deed. This is the loss caused by disbelief. As for the loss mentioned in the words of Allah, “Indeed, mankind is in loss,” it may result from disbelief, sin, or negligence through abandoning something recommended. It applies to every human being except those who possess faith, perform righteous deeds, exhort one another to the truth, and exhort one another to patience. The reality of loss is to miss out on a good that the servant [was] in a position to attain and that lay within his capacity.