BACKGROUND
According to Ibn Ishaq, Prophet Muhammad’s tribe, the powerful Quraysh, were greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started claiming prophethood and wished to consult rabbis about the matter. The Quraysh sent two men to the rabbis of Medina, reasoning that they had superior knowledge of the scriptures and about the prophets of God. The two Quraysh men described their tribesman, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), to the rabbis.
The rabbis told the men to ask Muhammad three questions:
They [the rabbis], said, “Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent; if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story for theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story and ask him about the Ruh (Holy spirit) – what is it? If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.”
However, According to Ibn Ishaq, when Muhammad was informed of the three questions from the rabbis, he said that he would have the answers in the morning but did not say “if God wills it”. For fifteen days, Muhammad waited eagerly for the revelation. Muhammad did not answer the question until then. Doubt in Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca. Then, after fifteen days, Muhammad received the revelation of al-Kahf, as an answer to the questions.
Comforting the Prophet in Suratul Kahf
The statement of Allah the Exalted and Most High,
﴿نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ﴾
(We know best what they say.) means, `Our knowledge is all encompassing of the denial that the idolators are confronting you with, so do not be concerned.’ In similar Ayat, Allah said,
﴿وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ – فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِّنَ السَّـجِدِينَ ﴾
﴿وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ ﴾
(Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e., death).) (15:97) Allah’s statement,
﴿وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِجَبَّارٍ﴾
(And you are not the one to force them.) says, `it is not you who forces them to accept the guidance; this is not a part of your mission.’ Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said,
﴿فَذَكِّرْ بِالْقُرْءَانِ مَن يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ﴾
(But warn by the Qur’an; him who fears My threat.) meaning, `convey the Message of your Lord, for only those who fear Allah and dread His torment, and hope in His promise will remember and heed,’
﴿فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَـغُ وَعَلَيْنَا الْحِسَابُ﴾
(Your duty is only to convey (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning.)(13:40),
﴿فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ – لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُسَيْطِرٍ ﴾
(So remind them — you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them.)(88:21-22)
﴿لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ﴾
(Not upon you is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills.)(2:272) and,
﴿إِنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَـكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ﴾
(Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills.) (28:56) Allah’s statement here,
﴿وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِجَبَّارٍ فَذَكِّرْ بِالْقُرْءَانِ مَن يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ﴾
(And you are not the one to force them. But warn by the Qur’an; him who fears My threat.) Qatadah used to invoke Allah by saying, “O Allah! Make us among those who fear Your threat and hope for Your promise, O Barr (Subtle, Kind, Courteous, and Generous), O Rahim (the Most Merciful).” This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Qaf. All praise is due to Allah, He is for us, the most excellent Trustee.
Credit: Tafsir Ibn Kathir
