Al-A'raf 188–206
The Messenger is declared not to know the time of the Day of Judgment and has no power over benefit or harm for himself, while the idols that are worshipped are made creations of humans that are silent, and its conclusion is a command to forgive and seek protection from Satan's temptation.
Verses 188-195 explain that Allah commands the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to invite people to think scientifically so they can understand Islam well. Understanding the truth of Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is not by testing him about when the Day of Judgment will occur and other matters of the unseen. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) will not know, because only Allah knows. Even determining benefit and preventing harm for himself alone is not possible. Everything is based solely on Allah's Will.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is merely a Messenger of Allah tasked with giving good news and warning to people. Why do people not believe in Allah, or believe but associate partners with Him? He is the One Who created all these people from one self, namely Adam, and from Adam Allah created his mate. This system of creation causes men to feel peace of soul with their spouses. After they have intercourse, his wife becomes pregnant. They long for a righteous child so they may give thanks. However, after Allah grants them a child, they make that child a partner with Allah.
People also love to associate partners with Allah with idols that cannot create anything, and they created those idols themselves. Those idols also cannot give benefit or harm, let alone guidance. They remain silent, whether asked or not. The god of the polytheists is also a creature like themselves, will not be able to fulfill their requests, cannot walk, strike, see, or hear. The schemes of the polytheists will not be useful in invalidating the teachings of Islam that are so noble and scientific.
Verses 196-206 continue the story of the Messenger's preaching to the polytheists who could not think scientifically. The Messenger explained to them: Indeed, my Helper is Allah, not these statues. He will help the righteous. The statues that you ask for help will never be able to help themselves, let alone help you. If you call them to guidance, they will not understand, they cannot even see. Seeing the ignorance of the polytheists, Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to be forgiving and turn away from that ignorant people.
If Satan tempts, then recite: I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the cursed, for Allah is the All-Hearing and the All-Knowing. The God-conscious quickly detect Satan's temptation to commit sin. When that temptation appears, they immediately remember Allah and they immediately repent. As for the disbelievers and the wicked, they help Satan in leading people astray. They urged the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to write the revelation himself. Then the Messenger explained that he only follows the revelation. The Qur'an contains clear proofs from Allah, as guidance and mercy for the believers. Their characteristics are that they remember Allah much and worship Him.
Loading the full version…