And when the evidence was established regarding his sincerity and trustworthiness, they responded with what pertains to the mere worldly matters, just as those from the nobility of the Arabs responded when they said, "What is this messenger?" [Al-Furqan: 7] The verses indicate that they said, "If you were to expel these weak ones, we would hope to follow you," until it was revealed regarding that, "And do not expel those who call upon their Lord" [Al-An'am: 52] and similar verses. This was by saying, that is, his people, denying his following, relying on the disease of arrogance that arises from the disdain for the truth and the contempt for people. They said, "Shall we believe in you?" that is, for the sake of your words and what you have affirmed of your attributes, while the situation is that "the lowly have followed you," meaning those who are behind in status and outcome, in conditions and actions. Thus, our belief in you would be a reason for our equality with them. If you were to expel them, we would have no excuse for being absent from you, nor would there be any barrier to following you. What they enjoyed of the fleeting worldly pleasures was a barrier for them from the lasting happiness. As for the weak, their hearts are broken and devoid of any concern that would compel them to turn towards good and accept it, for Allah, the Exalted, is with those whose hearts are broken. And thus, the Quraysh said about the companions of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him. The followers of the messengers have always been like this until it became one of their characteristics and signs, as Heraclius said in his inquiry about the followers of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him. The example of the arrogant is like a person who was one degree lower than another, and he became one degree higher than him. He was too proud to ascend to his level so that he would not be equal to him, and he was content for himself to be below him. How foolish is his mind! How great is his ignorance! There is nothing clearer than this in that the advancement in worldly matters is a disease for which there is no remedy except the death of the self by disavowing it and distancing oneself from it.