For they themselves disbelieved, rejected Allah’s signs, fought His messengers, turned people away from the way of Allah, and became callers to misguidance. They therefore deserved a multiplied punishment, just as their guilt had multiplied and just as they spread corruption in Allah’s earth.
⦗447⦘
(89) “On the Day when We raise up from every community a witness against them from among themselves, We will bring you as a witness against these. We have sent down to you the Book as a clear explanation of all things, and as guidance, mercy, and good tidings for the Muslims.”
Having previously mentioned that He would raise up “from every community a witness,” He mentions it again here and singles out from among them this noble Messenger, saying: “We will bring you as a witness against these”—that is, against your community, testifying concerning both their good and their evil. This is part of the perfection of Allah’s justice: every messenger will testify concerning his community, for he is better acquainted with its deeds than anyone else, and is too just and compassionate to testify concerning them except as they deserve.
This is like His statement, exalted is He: “Thus We have made you a justly balanced community, so that you may be witnesses over humanity and the Messenger may be a witness over you.”
He also says: “How then will it be when We bring a witness from every community and bring you as a witness against these? On that Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that the earth were leveled over them.”
His statement, “We have sent down to you the Book as a clear explanation of all things,” encompasses the fundamentals and branches of religion, the rulings pertaining to this world and the Hereafter, and everything His servants need. All of this is explained therein in the fullest manner, through clear words and evident meanings. Indeed, He repeatedly presents therein the great matters that the heart needs to have brought before it at every moment and reiterated at every hour. He repeats them and presents them anew in different wording and through varied proofs, so that they may become firmly established in the heart and yield goodness and righteousness in proportion to how firmly they are rooted there. Moreover, in a few clear words He combines numerous meanings, with those words serving as their foundation and governing principle. Consider this in light of the verse following this one and the countless kinds of commands and prohibitions it contains.
Since this Quran is a clear explanation of all things, it has become Allah’s proof against all His servants. It leaves wrongdoers without any plea, while the Muslims benefit from it. It is guidance for them, directing them in the affairs of their religion and worldly lives, and mercy through which they attain every good in this world and the Hereafter. Its guidance is the beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds they attain through it.
Its mercy consists of the rewards in this world and the Hereafter that result from this: the soundness, righteousness, and tranquility of the heart; the perfection of the intellect—which can be attained only by cultivating it upon the Quran’s meanings, the noblest and loftiest of all meanings; noble deeds and virtuous character; abundant provision; victory over enemies in word and deed; and the attainment of Allah’s pleasure and His magnificent honor, whose everlasting bliss is known only to the Most Merciful Lord.