Transliteration:( Wa law ja'alnaahu Qur-aanan A'jamiyyal laqaaloo law laa fussilat Aayaatuhoo 'a A'jamiyyunw wa 'Arabiyy; qul huwa lillazeena aamanoo hudanw wa shifaaa'unw wallazeena la yu'minoona feee aazaanihim waqrunw wa huwa 'alaihim 'amaa; ulaaa'ika yunaadawna mim maakaanim ba'eed (section 5) )
44.Had We made it, the Quran, in a foreign [117] language, they would definitely have said [118]: "Why have its verses not been made clear [119]?" "Why, this is a foreign language, but you (Prophet) are an Arab [120]." Please declare: "That is a guidance and a healer [121] for the believers." But the infidels have deafness [122] in their ears and blindness [123] in them. They are like those who are called [124] from a far-off place.
44. And if We had sent this as a Qur’an in a foreign language, they would have said: “Why are not its verses explained in detail What! Not in Arabic nor an Arab” Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a cure. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness in their ears, and it is blindness for them. They are called from a place far away.” 45. And indeed We gave Musa the Scripture, but dispute arose therein. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, and the matter would have been settled between them. But truly, they are in grave doubt thereto.
Allah tells us that the Qur’an is so eloquent and perfect in its wording and meanings, yet despite that the idolators do not believe in it. He tells us that their disbelief is the disbelief of stubbornness, as He says elsewhere:
(And if We had revealed it unto any of the non-Arabs, and he had recited it unto them, they would not have believed in it.) (26:198-199). If the Qur’an had been revealed in the language of the non-Arabs, they would have said, because of their stubbornness:
(Why are not its verses explained in detail What! not in Arabic and an Arab) meaning, why is it not revealed in detail in Arabic And by way of denunciation they would have said, “What! not in Arabic nor from an Arab — i.e., how can foreign words be revealed to an Arab who does not understand them This interpretation was reported from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, As-Suddi and others.
(Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a cure…”) means, `say, O Muhammad: this Qur’an, for the one who believes in it, is guidance for his heart and a cure for the doubts and confusion that exists in people’s hearts.’
(And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness in their ears,) means, they do not understand what is in it.
(and it is blindness for them.) means they are not guided to the explanations contained therein. This is like the Ayah:
(And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe, and it increases the wrongdoers nothing but loss.) (17:82).
(They are called from a place far away.) Mujahid said, “Far away from their hearts.” Ibn Jarir said, “It is as if the one who is addressing them is calling to them from a distant place, and they cannot understand what he is saying.” This is like the Ayah:
(And the example of those who disbelieve is as that of him who shouts to those (flock of sheep) that hears nothing but calls and cries. (They are) deaf, dumb and blind. So they do not understand.) (2:171)
(And indeed We gave Musa the Scripture, but dispute arose therein.) means, they disbelieved in him and did not show him any respect.
(Therefore be patient as did the Messengers of strong will) (46:35).
(And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord,) i.e., to delay the Reckoning until the Day of Resurrection,
(the matter would have been settled between them.) means, the punishment would have been hastened for them. But they have an appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape.
(But truly, they are in grave doubt thereto.) means, their words of disbelief are not due to any wisdom or insight on their part; rather they spoke without any attempt at examining it thoroughly. This was also the interpretation of Ibn Jarir, and it is a plausible interpretation. And Allah knows best.
(41:44) Had We revealed this as a non-Arabic Qur’an they would have said: “Why were its verses not clearly expounded? How strange, a non-Arabic scripture and an Arab audience!”[54] Tell them: “It is a guidance and a healing to the believers. But to those who do not believe, it serves as a plug in their ears and a covering over their eyes. It is as if they are being called from a place far away.[55]
54. This is the kind of the stubbornness that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was confronting. The disbelievers said: Muhammad (peace be upon him) is an Arab. Arabic is his mother tongue. How can one believe that the Arabic Quran that he presents has not been forged by himself but has been revealed to him by God? The Quran could be believed to be the revelation of God if he had started speaking fluently in a foreign language unknown to him, like Persian, Latin, or Greek. This argument of theirs has been refuted by Allah, saying: Now when the Quran has been sent down in their own tongue so that they may understand it, they raise the objection: Why has it been sent down to an Arab in Arabic? But if it had been sent down in a foreign tongue, these very people would have said: How strange! An Arab Messenger has been sent to the Arabs, but the revelations being sent to him are in a tongue which is neither understood by him nor by his people.
55. When a person is summoned from afar, he hears a voice but does not understand what is being said to him. This is a wonderful simile which fully depicts the psychology of the stubborn opponents. Naturally when you talk to a person who is free from prejudice, he will listen to you, will try to understand what you say, will accept it if it is reasonable, with an open mind. On the contrary, the person who is not only prejudiced against you but is also malicious and spiteful, will not at all listen to you however hard you may try to make him understand your viewpoint. In spite of hearing you all the time he will not understand at all what you had been saying.
[1398]- For all practical purposes, since they neither hear nor understand.
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