Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 15

(Ayah 15) ➊ {وَ اِذَا تُتْلٰى عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيَاتُنَا بَيِّنٰتٍ …:} In the previous verses, the polytheists were addressed directly; here, they are mentioned in the third person, which is called *iltifat* (change of address), and here its purpose is to belittle the polytheists and express anger towards them, as these senseless people are not even worthy of being addressed. The polytheists could not tolerate hearing about Allah’s oneness, the refutation of polytheism, and belief in the Hereafter. Upon hearing the divine verses, they would demand that, instead of this Quran, bring another Quran in which there are no such distressing matters for us, but rather some things that we like; that the powers of someone other than Allah as a provider, helper, remover of difficulties, and fixer of problems should also be mentioned. If you cannot bring an entirely new Quran, then at least make some changes in it from yourself for our sake. Allah Almighty said: Tell them that bringing an entirely new Quran is out of the question; I cannot even change a single letter in it from myself. My job is neither to compose the Quran nor to amend, alter, or add to it. My only duty is to convey whatever is revealed from Allah Almighty. If I were to commit such an act, I would fear the punishment of my Lord, which is to occur on a very great day.

➋ Some commentators have interpreted this verse to mean that the polytheists used to accuse the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) of having composed the Quran himself. Now, in order to prove their claim, they would demand from you to bring another Quran or to make changes in it from yourself; if you accept this demand, it would prove that this Quran was indeed his own composition, and then we would have the opportunity to deny you and mock you. The intention of the disbelievers could be both the point mentioned in the first interpretation and the one mentioned in this interpretation, and it is so.

15. 1. That is, they indicate the divinity and oneness of Allah.
15. 2. The meaning is that either bring another Quran in place of this Noble Quran, or make changes in it according to our wishes.
15. 3. That is, neither of these things is possible for me; they are not within my power at all.
15. 4. This is further emphasis on it. I only follow what is revealed to me from Allah. If I commit any addition or omission in it, I cannot remain safe from the punishment of the Great Day.

And when Our clear verses are recited to them—those who do not expect to meet Us—they say, "Bring a Qur'an other than this, or change it [23]." Say, "It is not for me to change it on my own. I only follow what is revealed to me. If I were to disobey my Lord, I would fear the punishment of a tremendous Day."

[22] The disbelievers of Makkah considered themselves followers of the religion of Ibrahim. They fully acknowledged the Lordship of Allah, but in the attributes of divinity, they also associated their various gods and goddesses as partners. They were staunch deniers of the belief in the Hereafter. It is not known in which era the belief of denying the Hereafter became part of their religion.
[23]
The Demand from the Disbelievers for Alteration in the Quran:

It is as if the polytheists of Quraysh believed that this Quran was not revealed from Allah, but rather authored by Muhammad ﷺ himself. Therefore, based on this false assumption, they presented two demands: one, that instead of this Quran, bring forth another Quran that would also be acceptable to us; and second, if you cannot bring an entirely different Quran, then at least make some amendments and abrogations in it, so that we may establish a path of reconciliation and compromise with you. In other words, remove from the Quran those parts that pertain to idol worship, etc. In return, you will have general permission from our side to call upon your Allah and worship Him whenever and however you wish, and so on. And this is the very ideology that, even today, is being considered the basis for peace and harmony among different religions: "Do not abandon your own, and do not interfere with others." And this is the corrupt ideology about which Iqbal said:
Falsehood is devoted to duality, Truth is without partner;
Do not accept partnership between Truth and falsehood.
[24] In this sentence, both propositions of the disbelievers have been refuted: that this Quran is not my own composition, but rather it has been revealed to me by Allah. Therefore, it is beyond my power to bring forth another Quran. Moreover, I am bound to follow the revelation that is in this Quran, so I have no authority to make any amendments or abrogations in it to make it suitable as a basis for any compromise or middle path between us and you. Furthermore, if I were to do such a thing, while I am the very one calling to follow this Quran, then who could be a greater criminal than me? I tremble at even the thought of this, and at the thought of the resulting punishment in the Hereafter.