(182–186) “As for those who deny Our signs, We shall lead them on gradually from where they do not know. I grant them respite; indeed, My plan is firm. Have they not reflected that there is no madness in their companion? He is only a clear warner. Have they not contemplated the dominion of the heavens and the earth, all that Allah has created, and the possibility that their appointed time may already have drawn near? In what message after this, then, will they believe? Whomever Allah leads astray has no guide, and He leaves them wandering blindly in their transgression.”
That is, those who denied Allah’s signs—which demonstrate the truth of the guidance brought by Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him—rejected them and refused to accept them. “We shall lead them on gradually from where they do not know” by causing provisions to flow abundantly to them.
“I grant them respite,” meaning: I give them time until they suppose that they will neither be seized nor punished. They thus increase in disbelief and transgression, adding further evil to their evil. Their punishment consequently increases and their torment is multiplied, so they harm themselves without realizing it. He therefore says, “Indeed, My plan is firm,” meaning: powerful and far-reaching.
“Have they not reflected that there is no madness in their companion”—Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him? That is, have they not exercised their minds and considered whether their companion—whom they know and whose circumstances are in no way hidden from them—is mad? Let them consider his character, guidance, bearing, and qualities, and let them consider that to which he calls. They will find in him only the most perfect qualities, the finest character, and such reason and sound judgment as surpass those of all others. He calls only to every good and forbids only every evil.
Could there be madness in such a man, O people of understanding? Or is he the great leader, the forthright adviser, the noble and generous man, the compassionate and merciful one?
He therefore says, “He is only a clear warner,” meaning that he calls people to what will save them from punishment and secure reward for them.
“Have they not contemplated the dominion of the heavens and the earth?” For if they were to contemplate them, they would find them to be proofs demonstrating the oneness of their Lord and His attributes of perfection.
Likewise, let them contemplate everything “that Allah has created,” for every part of the universe provides the clearest evidence of Allah, His power, His wisdom, the vastness of His mercy, His beneficence, the unfailing execution of His will, and His other magnificent attributes. These demonstrate that He alone creates and governs, and therefore that He alone must be worshipped and praised, glorified, affirmed as One, and loved.
His words, “and the possibility that their appointed time may already have drawn near,” mean: let them consider their own particular condition and take heed for themselves before their appointed time draws near and death overtakes them suddenly while they remain heedless and averse. They will then be unable to make amends for what has passed.
“In what message after this, then, will they believe?” That is, if they do not believe in this magnificent Book, what message will they believe? “A book of falsehood and error? Or the tale of every lying impostor?” Yet there is no remedy for one who has gone astray, nor any path by which he may be guided.