After relating the story of the Jinns, the Qur-aan talks about the Makkans:

16 It has also been revealed to me that:

§ If they (the Makkans) had remained straight on the path, We would certainly have bestowed on them abundant rain 17 so that We may test them thereby. Conversely, whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will thrust him into ever-growing torment.

This is the same benefit of staying on the straight path that was also described in the previous Soorah Nooĥ. Abundance of rain is a symbol for prosperity. The Quraish of Makkah are being told this fact repeatedly to allay their fears that if they abandon their idols, drought and tough times are going to fall on them. They are being told that giving up idols and adopting Towĥeed consistently will actually lead to growth and prosperity in this world, in addition to the eternal pleasure in the Hereafter. However, the prosperity in this world is not the reward for their good deeds, because the rewards will be given in the Hereafter. Everything in this world is a test. Even the prosperity bestowed to the people is a test to see if people continue to remember their Lord, thank Him and use His bounties in the right manner or if they become arrogant, miserly and ungrateful.

However, if people continue to ignore the remembrance of Allaah, they will be punished with a torment that will continue to increase in its intensity with the passage of time.

§ 18 The Masjid are for Allaah, therefore, do not invoke anyone along with Allaah.

§ 19 When Allaah’s slave stands up supplicating to Him, they almost crowd in on him.

Because only Allaah deserves and has the right to be worshipped, any house of worship (Masjid) in reality belongs to Allaah. As a matter of principle and right, nothing other than Allaah should be worshipped or invoked in any Masjid. And this is especially true for the Holy Ka‘abah which was built by Ibraaheem and Ismaa‘eel ‘alayhimussalaam explicitly and exclusively for the worship of Allaah. Verse 19 points out the irony that in that very Masjid (the Holy Ka‘abah) when Allaah’s slave, the Prophet, stands to worship and supplicate only to Allaah, the Makkans crowd around him as if they are going to suffocate him and crush him.

The use of the term “Allaah’s slave” has been used for the Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam for two reasons: Firstly, it underscores the fact that it is only natural, logical and sensible for a slave of Allaah to worship and invoke Allaah and nothing else; and secondly, this is a style indicative of the love and affection of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala towards the Prophet. The Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself used to like being called ‘Abduhu, that is, “His slave”.

The next verse asks the Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to continue to declare loudly and clearly to the Makkans his choice and practice of worshipping and invoking Allaah alone, regardless of how his opponents react and how upset they feel.

20 Let them know, “I invoke only my Lord, and do not associate any partner with 21 Say, “I do not possess power to cause you harm, or to bring you to right conduct.” 22 Say, “No one can protect me against Allaah, nor will I find any refuge besides Him. 23 The only responsibility I have is to deliver what I receive from Allaah and His Messages. Then whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, for him surely is the fire of Hell to dwell therein forever.” 24 They will not believe in it until they see what they are threatened with, only then shall they know who is weaker in helpers and fewer in number.

He was not only asked to continue announcing his choice of worshipping Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala exclusively, but also to keep on clarifying the following points:

§ His responsibility is only to deliver the message he receives from Allaah, purely and precisely as he receives it.

§ He has no authority or power to bring them punishment as they arrogantly demand or bring them any benefit or harm, nor can he force or coerce them to accept the guidance.

§ To please them, he cannot worship anyone else other than Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, nor can he stop delivering the Islamic message or shirk in his responsibility of delivering the message exactly as it is received. If he does any such thing, no one will be able to protect him from Allaah. In addition, Allaah is his only refuge from all difficulties and adversaries. If he equates Allaah with anyone else, where would he find a refuge because there is no real refuge, protection or resort other than Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala also adds here His own comment: Now it is up to them to listen to your message or oppose it. If they choose to disobey Allaah and His messenger, they should be prepared to live forever in the fire of Hell in the Hereafter. Although they laugh at you now and feel proud that they have a lot more supporters and helpers than you, on the Day of Judgment they will find the reality as to who was in fact weaker.

As for the opponents’ questions about the timing of the Day of Judgment or their demand to bring it on, the response was the following:

25 Let them know, “I do not know whether that with which you are threatened is near, or whether my Lord has set a longer term for it. 26 Only He is the Knower of the unseen! He does not disclose His secrets to anyone.

When Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala appoints a messenger, He reveals to him some of the matters of the unseen that he needs to know to perform his duty as a messenger; but there are some secrets that He does not divulge even to His messengers. One of such secrets is the exact time of the end of the world and occurrence of the Day of Judgment.

However, it does not mean that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has a casual, care free or laissez-fair attitude towards a messenger. Rather, the messenger is keenly watched, protected and escorted by angels who monitor to ensure that the messenger delivers purely and completely to people whatever messages are entrusted to him.

27 As for[1] the messengers whom He chooses, He makes an escort march before them and behind them, 28 so that He may know that they have truly delivered the messages of their Lord, and He encompasses their surroundings and He keeps count of all things.”

In short, every letter and word of the revelation is counted and accounted for.

Foot Notes

[1] The translation of “illaa” in this verse does not mean “except”; rather it is a special one that means “as for”, just like the one in Soorah Al-Ghaashiyah 88:21-24