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wa-ʾin mā nuriyannaka baʿḍa lladhī naʿiduhum ʾaw natawaffayannaka fa-ʾinnamā ʿalayka l-balāghu wa-ʿalaynā l-ḥisābu
Whether We show you a part of what We promise them, or take you away [before that], your duty is only to communicate, and it is for Us to do the reckoning.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Ar-Ra‘d – Verse 40
40. “And We will either let you see part of what We promise them or cause you to die, for your duty is only to make (the Message) reach them, while (calling them) to account is on Us.”
One must conclude of all that what is being observed of Allah’s favour on the Muslims and the Divine punishment over the pagans is only some partial actualization of the Divine promises. Even the death of such individuals as the dear Prophet of Islam (S) cannot hinder the actualization of the Divine promises which will be realized at the time when predicted. Therefore, in this verse, concerning the divine penalties which the Prophet (S) was promising and they were expecting them and even they criticized as to why his promises were not fulfilled, He says to him:
And if parts of what We have promised them would be shown to you in your life-time as of your victory and of their defeat as well as ‘the liberation of your followers and the capture of their followers’ or We would make you pass away before such promises are materialized, under all such circumstances your duty and mission has been to convey your prophetic mission’s message and the settlement of accounts with them is on Us. The verse says:
“And We will either let you see part of what We promise them or cause you to die, for your duty is only to make (the Message) reach them, while (calling them) to account is on Us.”
In the meantime, one concludes from this verse that Islam will dominate all other religions, and within the Prophet’s lifetime and after his death, the roots of paganism will be eradicated. And this meaning is reconfirmed by verse 33 of the Surah At-Taubah which says:
“He it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of Truth, that He may prevail it over all religions, though the polytheists may detest it.”
Imam Baqir (as) said:
“This process goes on at the time of Hadrat-i-Mahdi (a.j.) when no one will remain on the earth unless he confesses to the prophetic mission of Mohammad (S).” 24
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