Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 37:167–175
The Ranks (Al-Saffat)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(167) They say, (168) ‘If we had had with us a Book like that of the people of old, (169) we would surely have been God’s chosen servants,’ (170) but they have rejected it, [the Quran] and they shall soon learn! (171) And surely Our word has gone forth respecting Our servants, the messengers: (172) that it is certainly they who will be helped; (173) and that it is Our host that would certainly triumph. (174) So turn away from them for a while. (175) Watch them: they will soon see.
Commentary
(a) In ancient times, when the Arabs heard that the Jews and other peoples had rejected their prophets, they used to proudly say, ‘These people are unfortunate. If a prophet had come to us, we would have appreciated him and supported him.’ But, when God did send a prophet among them, they rejected him just as others had rejected their prophets. The Truth which affects others is readily seen by a man, but the Truth which affects him personally, seldom catches his eye.
Throughout history, people have ignored the call of the preachers of Truth. They forget that the preachers of Truth endeavour to spread God’s word which will in any case reign supreme, however much the unbelievers may oppose them.