24:47 They say, “We believe in GOD and in the messenger, and we obey,” but then some of them slide back afterwards. These are not believers.
24:48 When they are invited to GOD and His messenger to judge among them, some of them get upset.
24:49 However, if the judgment is in their favor, they readily accept it!
24:50 Is there a disease in their hearts? Are they doubtful? Are they afraid that GOD and His messenger may treat them unfairly? In fact, it is they who are unjust.
What does it mean to “obey the messenger”?
Jinns’ Knowledge is Limited
34:14 When the appointed time for his death came, they had no clue that he had died. Not until one of the animals tried to eat his staff, and he fell down, that the jinns realized that he was dead. They thus realized that if they really knew the unseen, they would have stopped working so hard as soon as he died.
9:62 They swear by GOD to you, to please you, when GOD and His messenger are more worthy of pleasing, if they are really believers.
When the messenger is alive the Quran comes to life.
How do we know if we are distinguishing between any of God’s messengers?
God Sends His Commands Through His Messengers
14:44 You shall warn the people of the day when the retribution comes to them. Those who transgressed will say, “Our Lord, give us one more respite. We will then respond to Your call and follow the messengers.” Did you not swear in the past that you will last forever?
The Sedentary
9:42 If there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: “If we could, we would have mobilized with you.” They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars. 9:43 GOD has pardoned you: why did you give them permission (to stay behind), before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars? 9:44 Those who truly believe in GOD and the Last Day do not ask your permission to evade the opportunity to strive with their money and their lives. GOD is fully aware of the righteous. 9:45 The only people who wish to be excused are those who do not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Their hearts are full of doubt, and their doubts cause them to waver. 9:46 Had they really wanted to mobilize, they would have prepared for it thoroughly. But GOD disliked their participation, so He discouraged them; they were told, “Stay behind with those who are staying behind.” 9:47 Had they mobilized with you, they would have created confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is fully aware of the transgressors. 9:48 They sought to spread confusion among you in the past, and confounded the matters for you. However, the truth ultimately prevails, and GOD’s plan is carried out, in spite of them. 9:49 Some of them would say, “Give me permission (to stay behind); do not impose such a hardship on me.” In fact, they have thus incurred a terrible hardship; Hell is surrounding the disbelievers. 9:50 If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, “We told you so,” as they turn away rejoicing. 9:51 Say, “Nothing happens to us, except what GOD has decreed for us. He is our Lord and Master. In GOD the believers shall trust.” 9:52 Say, “You can only expect for us one of two good things (victory or martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation from GOD and retribution from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with you.” 9:53 Say, “Spend, willingly or unwillingly. Nothing will be accepted from you, for you are evil people.”
42:51 No human being can communicate with GOD except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier, or by sending a messenger through whom He reveals what He wills. He is the Most High, Most Wise.
When the believers are faced with a problem, they develop a number of possible solutions, and this invariably leads to considerable bickering, disunity, and disarray. We learn from 2:151, 3:164, and 21:107 that it is but mercy from God that He sends to us messengers to provide the final solutions to our problems. We learn from 42:51 that God sends His messengers to communicate with us, and to disseminate new information. Hence the strong injunction in 4:65, 80 to accept, without the slightest hesitation, the teachings delivered to us through God’s messengers.
98:1 Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof given to them. 98:2 A messenger from GOD is reciting to them sacred instructions.* Footnote 98:3 In them there are valuable teachings. 98:4 In fact, those who received the scripture did not dispute until the proof was given to them. 98:5 All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.