Ghafir (The Forgiver)

13. It is He Who shows you His Ayat (Verses, Signs) and sends down provision for you from the sky. And none remembers but those who turn in repentance.

14. Therefore, call you upon Allah making [your] faith pure for Him; however much the disbelievers may dislike [it].

The world of existence abounds in tokens of Divine Unity. Why should man turn to other beings besides God Almighty? In these blessed Verses people are called to believe in Divine Unity saying that merely those who turn in repentance remember God Almighty.

The clause:

“However much the disbelievers may dislike [it]”

is attested thrice and the clauses

“However much the polytheists may dislike [it]”

and

“However much the sinners may dislike [it]”

are to be found twice. Such attestations indicate that we are not supposed to satisfy disbelievers, polytheists, and sinners and desist from carrying out our duties for the sake of their displeasure.

It is noteworthy that the last two blessed Verses serve as arguments substantiating the issues suggested in the form of admonitions and warnings in the foregoing Verse. They serve as arguments for Divine Unity and Lordship and refutation of polytheism and idolatry.

Verse 13 opens thus:

“It is He Who shows you His Ayat (Verses, Signs).” “The judgment is only with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great!”

In this blessed Verse, an argument is produced against declining disbelievers request as to getting out of Hell and returning to the world.

It designates that when they were called to believe in Divine Unity, they denied the call and persisted in their disbelief, but whenever some people associated partners with Him, they submitted to them and believed in their polytheistic beliefs.

It is to say that they frowned upon whoever made mention of Divine Unity, purity, fearing God, and submission to Divine Will, but they rejoiced at polytheism and impurity. Consequently, they may have no better fate.

Now a question may be raised here as to the nexus between the reply and returning to the world. However, the contextual meaning of the Verse demonstrates that such deeds of theirs were not sporadic and transient rather they were likewise at all times.

Consequently, if they returned they would resume their misdeeds and such faith and submission on the Day of Judgment are out of necessity rather than being genuine. Furthermore, their past disbelief, misdeeds and evil intentions necessitate their everlasting dwelling in Hell. Thus their return to the world would be impossible.

It is worthy of note that that such is the circumstance of those in whose hearts disbelief, polytheism and committing sins are deeply rooted. They are those who were disgusted at hearing the Name of the One God and rejoiced at hearing the names of Idols.

“And when Allah Alone is mentioned the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are filled with disgust and when besides Hi are mentioned, behold they rejoice!”1 .

Such circumstances are not restricted to the time of the Noble Prophet (S) rather there are ignorant in our time who turn away from faith, Divine Unity, and fearing God and whenever they hear disbelief, discord, and corruption, they turn to them.

Thus, according to a number traditions narrated from Ahl al-Bayt (as), the Verse in question is interpreted as referring to the question of guardianship (wilaya) at which some people are disgusted rather they rejoice at hearing the names of its opponents.

It goes without saying that the interpretation in question makes mention of a number of instances rather than referring to all the instances of the blessed Verse in question.

It makes also a reference to the signs upon the horizon and those upon the soul abounding in the world of existence. It alludes to the wonderful images found in the world of existence and whoever does not reflect upon such images will resemble one of the same.

Mention is then made of one of these signs:

“He sends down provision for you from the sky.”

The life giving rain drops, the invigorating sunshine giving life to all beings, and the air which enlivens all plants and animals are all sent down from the sky. We know that these are the main means of life and other means are secondary to them.

The Verse thus closes: despite all the signs abounding in the world of existence, blind eyes and the hearts over which a veil is cast fail to perceive anything:

“only those who turn toward God in repentance may remember”

and absolve their hearts and souls from impurities.

The following Verse concludes that now that you comprehend the circumstances,

“call you upon Allah making [your] faith pure for Him.”

Believers are encouraged herein to arise and erase polytheists’ idols through your faith and remove them from your thought, culture, and society.

It is to note that such act will disgust biased and obdurate disbelievers, but believers are supposed to have heart and purify their faith

“however much the disbelievers may dislike [it].”

In an environment in which idolaters constitute the majority, Divine Unity sounds disgusting to them like sunrise among bats; however, believers are supposed to ignore such ill-mannered and transient reactions, proceed decisively, and raise the banner of Divine Unity and sincere devotion everywhere.