Chapter 23, Verse 78

6:45.

Important Words:

مبلسون (they are in despair) is active participle from أبلس which means, he despaired or gave up hope of God’s mercy; he became broken-spirited; he was or became silent, returning no reply by reason of grief or despair; he was or became confounded or perplexed and unable to see argument; etc. (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:35.

Commentary:

One of the objects for which God sends down afflictions and visitations on rejecters of truth is that they should become humble and by repenting of their evil ways and by listening to the Divine Message should draw God’s mercy on themselves. The time of a heavenly Messenger is particularly marked by heavenly visitations. On the other hand, in time of prosperity, people are proud and arrogant and become entirely engrossed in worldly affairs. They pay little heed to the voice of truth. So God afflicts them with miseries and misfortunes in order that their pride might be broken. Elsewhere the Quran says: "And indeed We sent Messengers to peoples before thee, then We afflicted them with poverty and adversity that they might humble themselves" (6:43). But such is the perversity of human nature that in spite of afflictions man persists in his wicked ways and refuses to give ear to the Divine Messenger; respite and reprieve only increase him in transgression. When, however, Divine punishment overtakes him then he is all despair.

Besides the present verse the Quran adverts again and again to the subject that persistent rejection of Divine Message never goes unpunished. It has also not omitted to throw adequate light on factors which intimately concern the subject of Divine punishment, viz. (1) while awarding punishment to a wrong-doing person God takes into consideration all the various circumstances and conditions which contributed and led to the commission of the evil deeds (7:9). (2) Everyone has to carry his own cross and no one else but the guilty person himself has to account and suffer for his evil deeds (6:165). (3) The punishment of the evil deed is strictly commensurate with the nature and scope of the crime (42:41). (4) No intercession can benefit the guilty person and no ransom is taken from him (2:49). (5) But God’s mercy always outweighs His wrath (7:157). (6) When good deeds outnumber evil ones, the entire punishment is remitted (7:9)."

6:45.

Man is so constituted that when he is in comfort and easy circumstances, he throws all caution to the winds and begins to indulge in unseemly conduct. But when his transgression and wicked pursuits produce evil results, he gives himself up to despair.