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ʾa-wa-lam yatafakkarū mā bi-ṣāḥibihim min jinnatin ʾin huwa ʾillā nadhīrun mubīnun
Have they not reflected that there is no madness in their companion, [and that] he is just a manifest warner?
— Ali Quli Qarai
7Al-A'rāfالأعرافVerse 184 of 206
The Heights7. Al-A'rāfالأعراف
Al A‘rāf
The Heights
MeccanVerse 184 of 206
Surah al-‘Araf – Verse 184
184 . “Have they not reflected that there is no madness in their companion (the Prophet of Islam)? He is naught but a plain warner.”
Occasion of Revelation
The Islamic commentators have mentioned the following meanings upon the occasion of revelation of this verse in their commentary books: When the Prophet (S) was living in Mecca, one night he went upon Safā Mountain and invited people to monotheism. He called to all people, and to the whole tribes of Quraysh in particular, and told them to beware the punishment of Allah. He continued speaking until late at night. The local idol-worshppers of Mecca said that their companion had become mad since he was shouting the whole night until morning. At that moment the above-mentioned verse was revealed and gave them a knockdown answer.2
In this verse, at first, Allah answers the vain statement of the idol-worshippers by which they said the Prophet (S) was mad. The Qur’ān says whether they did not contemplate to know that their companion (the Prophet) had no sign of madness. Here is the answer of Allah:
He (Muhammad) (S) had been living among them for more than forty years. They were acquainted with his thought, intellect, and management. Then, how did they suddenly accused him like that? Then, following to that, the Qur’ān says that he (S) is only a plain warner that advises his society to beware the dangers they are faced with. The verse says:
Footnotes