Ghafir (The Forgiver)

69. See you not those who dispute about the Ayat (Verses, Signs) of Allah? How are they turning away [from Truth]?

70. Those who deny the Book and that with which We sent Our Messenger, they will come to know [the consequences of their acts].

Familiarity with the history of ancient obdurate peoples provides modern peoples with lessons and peace of mind. Disputing about Qur’anic is on a par with going astray; that is why warning could be quite fruitful in propagation.

The blessed Verse in question treats of those who dispute about Divine Ayat and deny the arguments and Calls of Messengers. The fate of such people is vividly depicted in these Verses.

Verse 69 opens thus:

“See you not those who dispute about the Ayat (Verses, Signs) of Allah? How are they turning away [from Truth]?”

such disputes are accompanied by obduracy and enmity and these blind imitations and unfounded biases lead them astray, since Truth manifests itself solely through the spirit of truth-seeking.

The rhetorical question addressed to the Noble Prophet (S) indicates that taking into account their state, any impartial person wonders at their error and asks himself:

“what do they not see the truth despite the availability of so many clear Signs and Verses?”

Verse 70 adds:

“Those who deny the Book and that with which We sent Our Messenger.”

It is worthy of note that the clause:

“those who dispute about the Ayat (Verses, Signs) of Allah”

is attested thrice in the Chapter in question¹ and the contextual meaning indicates that the Ayat of Allah refers to the Signs of Prophethood and the contents of the Scriptures.

Since the Signs of Divine Unity and the issues concerning Resurrection were included in Scriptures, they were also subject to disputes. Does the reiteration lays emphasis on this significant topic or some other issue were intended by the same?

The latter sounds more viable, since each of the here Verses treat of some specific topic. Verse 56 deals with the incentives of such disputes, namely vanity and arrogance, whereas Verse 35 discusses their worldly chastisement which is sealing up their hearts by God Almighty.

The blessed Verse in question² treats of their otherworldly chastisement and kinds of torments to be inflicted on them in Hell.

It is also noteworthy that the verbal form:

yujadilun (“they dispute”)

is in the present tense and indicates progression. It is a reference to those who deny Divine Signs and verses so as to justify their vicious false beliefs and vicious deeds and preoccupy themselves with baseless disputes.

Thus they are warned at the close of the Verse:

“[Soon] they will come to know [the consequences of their acts].”