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English_Biography_Shefa_of_Prophet_Muhammad, page : 188
There is neither dispute nor doubt that the preceding facets of the Koran cannot be imitated. Our attention is now drawn to its verses which state certain instances to which the response of mankind is either unable to fulfill, cope with or take on the challenge. Take for example the Words of Allah to the Jews, "Say, 'if the abode of the Everlasting Life is with Allah for you especially, to the exclusion of all other people, then long for death if you are truthful'. But they will never long for it'" (2:94-95).
Isaac's father Az-Zajjaj commented on this verse saying, "This verse contains the greatest proof and also the clearest indication of the soundness of the Message of Allah. This is because Allah told the Jews to "long for death" and then informs them, "But they will never long for it", so none of them sincerely longed for death.
The Prophet spoke of this saying, "If the Jews had wished for death, they would have died and seen their seats in Hell." But Allah turned the hearts of the Jews against longing for death. He cast tremendous fear into them thereby signifying that His Messenger was indeed truthful, and that which He had sent down to him was without doubt authentic. But none of them sincerely longed for death, even though they were eager to reject him.
When the Christian bishops of Najran came to the Prophet most remained adamant in their refusal to accept Islam. It was then that Allah sent down the verse in which He challenges them to invoke the curse of Allah upon the ones who lie. Allah says, "To those who dispute with you concerning him after the knowledge has come to you, say, 'Come, let us gather our sons and your sons, our womenfolk and your womenfolk, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us humbly pray, so lay the curse of Allah upon the ones who lie" (3:61). Their primate, Al Aqib, warned his fellow bishops saying, "You know he is a prophet, and no matter whether a group is small or large, a prophet never lays a curse on a people and they survive thereafter." So they refrained from the challenge and continued to pay the "poll-tax" levied on those who refused to believe in return for which they received protection within the Islamic state.
As for the unbelievers amongst the Arabs, Allah challenges them saying, "If you are in doubt of what We have sent down to Our worshiper, produce a chapter comparable to it. Call upon your helpers, other than Allah, to assist you, if you are true. But if you fail, as you are sure to fail, then guard yourselves against the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the unbelievers" (2:23-24).
Although this verse is amongst those relating to the Unseen, the first part of the verse is indicative of the fact that they would be incapable to respond to His challenge.
Isaac's father Az-Zajjaj commented on this verse saying, "This verse contains the greatest proof and also the clearest indication of the soundness of the Message of Allah. This is because Allah told the Jews to "long for death" and then informs them, "But they will never long for it", so none of them sincerely longed for death.
The Prophet spoke of this saying, "If the Jews had wished for death, they would have died and seen their seats in Hell." But Allah turned the hearts of the Jews against longing for death. He cast tremendous fear into them thereby signifying that His Messenger was indeed truthful, and that which He had sent down to him was without doubt authentic. But none of them sincerely longed for death, even though they were eager to reject him.
When the Christian bishops of Najran came to the Prophet most remained adamant in their refusal to accept Islam. It was then that Allah sent down the verse in which He challenges them to invoke the curse of Allah upon the ones who lie. Allah says, "To those who dispute with you concerning him after the knowledge has come to you, say, 'Come, let us gather our sons and your sons, our womenfolk and your womenfolk, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us humbly pray, so lay the curse of Allah upon the ones who lie" (3:61). Their primate, Al Aqib, warned his fellow bishops saying, "You know he is a prophet, and no matter whether a group is small or large, a prophet never lays a curse on a people and they survive thereafter." So they refrained from the challenge and continued to pay the "poll-tax" levied on those who refused to believe in return for which they received protection within the Islamic state.
As for the unbelievers amongst the Arabs, Allah challenges them saying, "If you are in doubt of what We have sent down to Our worshiper, produce a chapter comparable to it. Call upon your helpers, other than Allah, to assist you, if you are true. But if you fail, as you are sure to fail, then guard yourselves against the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the unbelievers" (2:23-24).
Although this verse is amongst those relating to the Unseen, the first part of the verse is indicative of the fact that they would be incapable to respond to His challenge.