Surah Fussilat (41) — Ayah 52

(Ayah 52){ قُلْ اَرَءَيْتُمْ اِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ كَفَرْتُمْ بِهٖ … :} This entire Surah of the Noble Qur’an is filled with proofs of the truth of the Noble Qur'an, monotheism, prophethood, and the Hereafter, which the disbelievers not only refused to accept but were not even willing to listen to, as mentioned in verse (5): « وَ قَالُوْا قُلُوْبُنَا فِيْۤ اَكِنَّةٍ » “And they said, ‘Our hearts are within coverings from that.’” And in verse (26): « وَ قَالَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَا تَسْمَعُوْا لِهٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنِ» “And those who disbelieved said, ‘Do not listen to this Qur’an.’” So, at the end of the Surah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was commanded to say to them: How can you declare the Qur’an to be false or a lie when you are not even willing to listen to it? Because you can only call it false if you listen to it, then if it is true, accept it, otherwise, declare it false with proof; you do not have the courage for even this much. This clearly shows that you are not certain of its falsehood, otherwise, something whose falsehood is absolutely clear does not require such a strict prohibition on listening to it. This shows that even in your minds, there is a possibility of its truth. Therefore, tell me: this Qur’an, which you are not even willing to listen to, if it really is the truth from Allah, and without listening or understanding you denied it, and in this state death came to you, then the Resurrection will be established—at that time you will have fallen into such distant opposition, which is a very far-off opposition, from which even if you wish, return will not be possible. Then, who can be more astray than one who stubbornly persists in such unnecessary and wrong opposition, from which return is not possible? The purpose of the verse is to encourage the disbelievers to be willing to listen and reflect, and to warn them of the time when the harm of their opposition will not be able to be remedied.