Al Kahf

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَي ءَاثَارِهِم إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفاً

6. “Then maybe you will fret yourself to death with grief, following after them, if they do not believe in this Message (the Qur’an).”

The Arabic term /asaf/ indicates to a stage of sorrow more intensive than grief. This verse refers to the utmost sympathy of the prophets. It seems that the Prophet (S) has been resembled to a person who observes that his most beloved members are separating from him and he is looking at them with sigh from behind their backs. Sympathy and regret upon other’s aberration is a value, and the Prophet (S) is always the most compassionate one among people.

A leader should be mindful of the improvement of the believes and deeds of people and he ought not to cease looking after them. Therefore, the verse says:

That is why, in the next verse, the Qur’an implies that he (S) must not be grievous, because the world is the place of trial for them.