Explanation

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—then cited the verse, “Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord; so whoever wills—let him believe, and whoever wills—let him disbelieve’” (al-Kahf 29). The truth comes from Allah, the Lord who created all things and who alone has the right to impose upon His servants whatever He wishes; once the truth comes from Him, we are duty-bound to accept it.

“As for whoever wills—let him believe, and whoever wills—let him disbelieve” is not granting people an open choice, as though one may believe if he likes and disbelieve if he likes. Rather, it is a warning. The proof lies in the remainder of the verse: “Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose enclosure will surround them. If they cry for relief, they will be relieved with water like molten brass that scalds the faces—how wretched a drink and how evil a resting-place!” (al-Kahf 29). Thus, whoever chooses to believe will receive an immense reward, while whoever chooses to disbelieve will suffer a painful punishment and be numbered among the wrongdoers, as Allah says: “The disbelievers—they are the wrongdoers” (al-Baqarah 254). This is therefore a threat to anyone who refuses to believe in Allah. The truth is clear and manifest, brought by Muhammad ﷺ from the Lord of the worlds. Whoever is guided has been granted success—we ask Allah to guide us—and whoever strays, Allah’s refuge is sought, is humiliated; and Allah’s help alone is sought.

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—then quoted among the verses proving the obligation of commanding right and forbidding wrong the statement of the Exalted: “Proclaim openly what you have been commanded, and turn away from the polytheists” (al-Ḥijr 94). The address here is directed to the Prophet ﷺ. Be aware that the addresses directed to the Messenger ﷺ fall into two categories: some are exclusive to him, and others apply to both him and his community; and the default is that they apply to him and to his community, because his community