Juz 8: Al-Anʿām 111 to Al-Aʿrāf 87
Section 2 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
2. Allah's Response to Disbelievers Seeking Miracles | Verses: Al-An'am 6:111-113
Despite the Quran's profound eloquence and wisdom, the disbelievers of Makkah continued to demand additional signs and physical miracles as a delay tactic and excuse for their rejection. Allah responds to their stubbornness with a profound statement about the nature of belief and disbelief:
وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ قُبُلًا مَّا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ
“Even if We had sent down the angels to them, and the dead had spoken to them, and We had gathered everything before them, face to face, still, they would not have believed, unless Allah would have so willed. But, most of them adopt the way of ignorance." (6:111)”
This verse reveals a profound reality about the psychology of disbelief. Allah affirms that even if He were to fulfill their demands for extraordinary miracles—bringing angels down to earth, causing the dead to speak, or presenting every possible sign before them—they would still refuse to believe. Their disbelief stems not from a lack of evidence but from a spiritual obstinacy that Allah alone can remove.
The final statement that "most of them adopt the way of ignorance" is particularly revealing. Their demands do not stem from intelligent inquiry but from foolish obstinacy. Had they been truly intelligent, they would have recognized the Quran itself as the greatest miracle, especially given their appreciation for eloquent language.
To console the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Allah then states:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ ۖ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ
“Thus We have made for every prophet an enemy from among the devils of mankind and jinn who inspire each other with adorned speech as a delusion. Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. So, leave them with what they forge." (6:112)”
Allah informs the Prophet (peace be upon him) that his experience is not unique. Every prophet faced opposition from human and jinn devils who communicated with each other, embellishing falsehood with deceptively attractive speech. This opposition is part of Allah's divine plan, a test that accompanies prophetic mission. The counsel to "leave them with what they forge" directs the Prophet to focus on his message rather than being distracted by their schemes.
The following verse further elaborates on the divine wisdom behind allowing such opposition:
وَلِتَصْغَىٰ إِلَيْهِ أَفْئِدَةُ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُوا مَا هُم مُّقْتَرِفُونَ
“And (they are allowed) so that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter may incline to it, and may be pleased with it, and may continue to commit what they are committing." (6:113)”
This verse reveals that Allah permits such opposition so that those who reject the Hereafter may be drawn to falsehood, find satisfaction in it, and persist in their wrongdoing. This is not because Allah wishes them to stray but because He allows them to follow their chosen path in accordance with their free will.
These verses demonstrate that the Quran itself is the greatest miracle, especially for the Arabs who understood and appreciated eloquent language. Some enemies of Islam were so moved by its recitation that they would secretly listen to it, utterly amazed by its perfection, only to be questioned by their companions about their faith upon returning.