Surah 15. Al-Hijr, Ayah 13

Cf. 6:10 and the corresponding note [9]. My interpolation of the words "derision of Our message" is based on Tabari's and Zamakhshari's interpretations of the above passage. Regarding God's "causing" the deniers of the truth to sin, see surah {2}, note [7], as well as surah {14}, note [4].

Lit., "although the way of life (sunnah) of those of olden times has already passed" - i.e., although the manner in which God has dealt with them has long since become a matter of common knowledge (Ibn Kathir).

Sects, divisions, and systems invented by men tend to pass away, but Allah's pure Truth of Unity endures for ever. This we see in history when we study it on a large scale. Cf. the parable in xiv. 24-26 Khalat: I have translated it here in the same sense as in xiii. 30 x. 102, and other places. Some Commentators give it a slightly different shade of meaning. The other meaning is seen in xlviii. 23.