Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)

31. “And if there were a Qur’an by which the mountains were moved or the earth were cloven asunder with it, or the dead were made to speak thereby, (still they would not believe). But the affair is Allah’s altogether. Have not those who believe yet known that if Allah had willed He would certainly have guided all the people? And (as for) those who disbelieve, there will not cause to afflict them because of what they do a calamity, or it will alight close to their habitation, until Allah’s promise comes. Verily Allah will not fail the tryst.”

The Occasion of the Revelation

Some great commentators have claimed that this holy verse has been revealed in response to a group of pagans of Mecca who were sitting next to the door of Ka‘bah and had sent after the Prophet (S) who hoping to lead them, came to them.

They said that if he wanted them to follow him, he should remove back the mountains of Mecca by his Qur’an so that the tight and limited land there would become vast.

They told the Prophet (S) that he considered himself no less in rank than Dawūd for whose sake Allah had conquered the mountains; or he should conquer wind for them as it was over dominated by Sulayman; or he should enliven his grandfather ‘Qasiy’ (the grandfather of Quraysh) because Jesus (as) used to make the dead alive, and he was no less than him.

At this time, the verse was revealed implying that what they said was because of their obstinacy and not for embracing the Faith.

As was already mentioned in the discussion of the occasion of revelation, this verse was revealed in response to the pagans’ pretexts which were raised owing to their obstinacy and not for the sake of embracing the faith. They asked for performing extemporarily miracles from the Prophet (S).

Allah says:

“And if there were a Qur’an by which the mountains were moved or the earth were cloven asunder with it, or the dead were made to speak thereby, (still they would not believe). But the affair is Allah’s altogether…”

However, all of these are at His disposal and thus He does whatever He deems fit.

Nevertheless, you are not seeking the truth and if you were, you could be content with the signs which have already been exposed to you by the Prophet (S).

Then, the Qur’an adds:

“…Have not those who believe yet known that if Allah had willed He would certainly have guided all the people?…”

But, He will never do so, because such a compulsory faith lacks any value and is devoid of all kinds of spirituality and development which man needs.

Then the verse implies that the pagans are always at the stake and mercy of the invasion from pounding calamities for their deeds, which are damaging and devastating to them in the form of the fights of the Islamic warriors.

The verse continues saying:

“…And (as for) those who disbelieve, there will not cause to afflict them because of what they do a calamity…”

And in case that such disasters are not inflicted upon them within their houses, they enter near their houses so as to provide lessons for them and be shaken in order to return to Allah.

The verse says:

“…or it will alight close to their habitation…”

And such warnings will continue ever more till the ultimate decree of Allah will be issued.

Such an order might concern and be an allusion to death or reference to the Day of Judgment, or, as some claim, it may be a hint to the ‘Conquest of Mecca’ which devastated the last bastion of the enemies.

The verse adds:

“…until Allah’s promise comes…”

Anyway, Allah’s promise is decisive and He will never break His promise or deviate from its conditions.

The verse concludes:

“…Verily Allah will not fail the tryst.”

Explanations

This holy verse explains the utmost climax of the hostility and obstinacy of the pagans, just like verse 111 of Surah Al-’An‘am which says:

“And even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them and We mustered all things before them, (even then) they would not believe…”

The Qur’an is a Book which has shaken what has been firmer than mountains and has enlivened those who have been deadlier than the mortally dead. It has provided life for the dead mind and souls and the stone-hearted ignorant Arab people, and if there were a Book to be able to move mountains, and rise the dead, it is this same Qur’an.

One may conclude from remarks made by Imam Kazim (as) that there are clues and secrets in the Qur’an by which one can conquer nature.

Incidentally, do not expect all to accept the Faith as hostility and obstinacy are both inherent incurable diseases of human societies. If one is seeking after the Truth, one miracle is more than enough for him to accept the Faith. But, if someone is obstinate, he may ignore even the most explicit miracle.

Miracles are under Allah’s control and not to be incited on proposals and whims of obstinate people. In the meantime, Allah’s Will is toward voluntary guidance of man, and it is not based on their compulsion and toward forceful scrutiny.

Pagans must expect strikes from Allah on their country and on their borders and the Divine warnings sometimes come to us directly and are directed toward us and sometimes they come indirectly and are directed to others and the regions in our neighboring.

“…And (as for) those who disbelieve, there will not cause to afflict them because of what they do a calamity…”

The pagan people are always in the course of devastating and pounding catastrophes and extensive accidents because of their paganism and their heinous deeds, namely wars, famine, massacre, entanglement, etc., so that they may witness the punishment of their evil and viscous deeds and be therefore warned against them.