Ar-Ra‘d 13:27
The verse
Those who disbelieve say: If only a portent were sent down upon him from his Lord! Say: Lo! Allah sendeth whom He will astray, and guideth unto Himself all who turn (unto Him), — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
The people of Mecca demanded that Muhammad give them tangible miracles. According to Islamic commentators, the people of Mecca asked that an angel appear with him or that Muhammad would bring out to them a treasure.
But what was Muhammad’s reply? He responded with this verse: “God leads whom He will astray, but guides unto Him those who turn again”.
Questions: (1) Is Muhammad’s cryptic response appropriate to the request of the Meccan people? (2) Is this response the requested miracle that they were seeking?
Arabic text of this item
طلب أهل مكة من محمد معجزات ملموسة، ووفقاً لمصادر التفسير، فإنهم سألوه أن يَظهر برفقة ملاكٍ أو أن يُخرج لهم كنزاً.
لكن ماذا كان رد محمد على طلبهم؟ أجابهم: <إِنَّ اللهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ>.
ونسأل: هل يتناسب جواب محمد مع طلب المكيين؟ وهل هذا الجواب هو المعجزةُ المنشودة من جانب السائلين؟
Sources cited
- al-Ţabarī, Tafsīr 13: 517.
- الطبري، تفسير 13: 517.