Verse 4
The Ascending Stairways • makkah
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Commentary:
The verse may mean that instead of demanding punishment the disbelievers should have accepted the Message of Islam and thus should have won the pleasure of God. Or it may mean that while the punishment that will overtake disbelievers will be highly destructive, the ascent of the believers to heights of spiritual perfection will also be without end. Or the verse may signify that as the attributes of God are manifested in stages, the punishment of disbelievers will also come in stages. The verse may also signify that the day when disbelievers will receive the most humiliating punishment in the form of the Fall of Mecca will be the most auspicious day in the Holy Prophet’s life—the day of his معراج (Ascension), when he will be at the height of his power.
God grants to His votaries very exalted ranks.