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yā-ʾayyuhā lladhīna ʾūtū l-kitāba ʾāminū bi-mā nazzalnā muṣaddiqan li-mā maʿakum min qabli ʾan naṭmisa wujūhan fa-naruddahā ʿalā ʾadbārihā ʾaw nalʿanahum ka-mā laʿannā ʾaṣḥāba s-sabti wa-kāna ʾamru llāhi mafʿūlan
O you who were given the Book! Believe in what We have sent down confirming what is with you, before We blot out the faces and turn them backwards, or curse them as We cursed the People of the Sabbath, and Allah’s command is bound to be fulfilled.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah An-Nisa', Verse 47
47. "O' you who have been given the Scripture! believe in what We have revealed, confirming that which is ( already) with you, before We destroy countenances and turn them towards their backs, or curse them as We cursed the people of Sabbath (the violating Jews), and the Command of Allah is ever-executed."
The words saying "…before We destroy countenances and turn them towards their backs....." may refer to the purpose of changing the feature of hearts and nature of safe and sound intellects from the path of felicity. This status may come forth as a result of their obstinacy and arrogance against the Divine verses. Instead of going one step forward, they retrogress some steps backward, and their spiritual human features and intellects will be abolished.
Perhaps, it refers to the outward change of faces to their backs and transformation of the features, or change of shapes in the Hereafter.
The People of Sabbath
There were some disobedient Jews who violated the Command of Allah (s.w.t.) upon the prohibition of fishing on Saturdays and, by a legal trick, they did fishing. So, they incurred the wrath of Allah, and their faces transformed into the shape of monkeys.
Explanations
1. The general framework of the programs of all Divine prophets are alike. Therefore, in the style of invitation and propagation, others' opinions and their common rights should be respected.
2. Islam invites the followers of other religions to the religion of Allah, too.
3. The scientific figures and those who are cognizant are more responsible, and are especially addressed by the religion of Allah.
4. When confronting the obstinate ones, the means of threat must be used.
5. In order that the threat be affected, the kinds of its concrete and applicable examples should be mentioned.
6. The wrath of Allah upon all of the obstinate persons, during the history of the world, is an Allah's way of treatment.
7. The command of Allah is always certain.