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naḥnu ʾaʿlamu bi-mā yaqūlūna wa-mā ʾanta ʿalayhim bi-jabbārin fa-dhakkir bi-l-qurʾāni man yakhāfu waʿīdi
We know well what they say, and you are not there to compel them. So admonish by the Quran those who fear My threat.
— Ali Quli Qarai
50QāfقVerse 45 of 45
Qaf50. Qāfق
Qāf
Qaf
MeccanVerse 45 of 45
Surah Qaf - Verse 45
45. We know best what they [disbelievers] say. And you are not the one to force them [to believe]. But warn by the Qur’an him who fears My Warning.
The Arabic word jabbar designates both “All-Powerful” as one of the Most Beauteous Names of God Almighty and “tyrannous” which is a vicious quality. It is worthy of note that the Chapter opens with taking an oath to the Holy Qur’an and closes with reminding people to attend to reading the Holy Qur’an and act upon the Injunctions mentioned therein. The blessed Verse in question, addressed to the Noble Prophet of Islam (S), is saying that God Almighty is All-Aware of disbelievers’ false accusations as to the Noble Prophet’s (S) sorcery and madness and their denial of Resurrection and false attributes to Godhead.
Nonetheless, the Noble Prophet (S) is enjoined to fulfill his duties of Prophethood as to preach the Qur’anic Verses, warn disbelievers against torments in this world and the Hereafter, and guide people to the Straight Path. It is said unto the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) that he is unable to force them to believe and acknowledge Divine Unity. It is mentioned elsewhere in the Holy Qur’an18:
“You are only a warner for those who fear it [Resurrection and Divine Wrath].”
Finally, a number of traditions will be quoted on the Gloriousness of the Holy Qur’an. It is narrated from Imam Baqir (as):
“Verily, God Almighty has included in His Book what is required by the Muslim community and has made expositions regarding the same for His Messenger (S); He has apportioned measures for everything and has set the Holy Qur’an as the Guide for the same.” 19
Imam Hasan ibn ‘Ali (as) is quoted as saying:
“Illuminating lights [of Guidance] and the curing physics of hearts are to be found in the Holy Qur’an.” 20
It is narrated from the Noble Prophet (S):
“I leave two things with you: the Qur’an and my family, so long as you grasp them, you shall not go astray.” 21
According to a Prophetic tradition:
“The superiority of the Qur’an over all words is like that of God over creatures.” 22
The Noble Prophet of Islam (S) is quoted as saying:
“It is incumbent upon you to remember the Qur’an, since the Qur’an is a cure, a useful physic, the guard of one who grasps it, and the deliverer of one who follows it.” 23
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as):
“Verily, the Holy Qur’an is a hinderer and a commander, it commands man to [find one’s path toward] Paradise and hinders man from [entering] Hell.” 24
It is narrated from the Noble Prophet (S):
“Indeed, I leave amongst you the Book of Allah and it is the fast grip of Allah; whoever follows it will be guided and whoever turns away from it will go astray.” 25
Imam Sadiq (S) said:
“Verily, Allah taught His Messenger (S) the meaning and interpretation of the Glorious Qur’an and the Noble Prophet (S) taught the same to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ‘Ali (as).
O Lord! Rank us amongst the followers of the Holy Qur’an, the Noble Prophet (S) and the Infallible Imams (as). Amen, O Lord of the worlds!
Footnotes