And when he consoled him with what is sufficient in consolation, he informed him that there is no way for him other than patience. So he said, adding to what you might estimate: So be patient as they were patient, and let what you face from them in the cause of Allah be small in your eyes: ﴿And if it is great﴾ meaning: it is truly very significant ﴿their turning away from you﴾ meaning: from what he brings them of the signs, which we have previously informed about by our saying: ﴿And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord except that they turn away from it﴾ [Al-An'am: 4]. And you intended to transition - in our informing you that the proposed signs do not benefit them - from the knowledge of certainty to the eye of certainty ﴿So if you are able to seek﴾ meaning: to request with your utmost effort and capacity ﴿a passage﴾ meaning: an outlet ﴿in the earth﴾ through which you can reach what you might be able to attain ﴿or a ladder in the sky﴾ meaning: a direction upwards to ascend in it to what you are capable of ﴿so that you may bring them a sign﴾ meaning: what they proposed to you, so do it to witness that they do not increase upon your bringing it to them except in turning away as we have informed you, (p-100) because Allah has willed the misguidance of some of them. The intent of this is to clarify the intensity of his ﷺ eagerness for their guidance, as if he were able to undertake the effort of descending to beneath the earth or ascending above the heavens to bring them what they would believe in, he would have done so.

And when this context might imply something regarding ability, He negated it as guidance towards the estimation of what you have decreed. He said: ﴿And if Allah had willed﴾ meaning: the One who has the magnificent greatness and the complete overpowering ability, ﴿He would have gathered them upon guidance﴾ meaning: because His ability is all-encompassing, and their faith in itself is possible. However, He has willed their separation by misleading some of them. And when the Prophet ﷺ, after Allah informed him of what He informed him of His ruling that the signs do not benefit those who are destined for disbelief, was eager to respond to them regarding what they proposed, hoping to gather them upon guidance due to what he was naturally inclined to, which is an increased compassion for the stranger, let alone the close one. Along with what Allah commanded him on the night of Isra without an intermediary, as al-Harali informed him, regarding the continuity of compassion towards His servants, mercy for them, kindness to them, and bringing joy to them. Thus, he was persistent in this nature and the command until he would not cease from it except for a decisive matter or a confirmed, stern prohibition. This led to his saying: ﴿So do not be﴾, and he emphasized the words - glorified is He - to make it known to ﷺ that He has decreed their separation, so he should be at ease with that and oppose what he was created with of intense compassion for them ﴿of the ignorant﴾ meaning: indeed, you are the most knowledgeable of people absolutely, and you have complete insight and penetrating perception and a clear thought regarding those whom you have not interacted with. So how about those whom you have experienced as a youth, an adult, and in their prime! Therefore, do not act upon the evidence of what Allah has commanded you regarding patience and forgiveness, and what He has created you with of forbearance and tolerance in seeking their faith, contrary to what is known of their loss. So do not let your soul aspire to what there is no aspiration for, for what He wills does not happen except that. This verse and similar ones - which in their apparentness seem harsh - indicate the greatness of his rank ﷺ and are among the subtle praises of the Quran for him, as will be clarified, if Allah wills, in Surah At-Tawbah when He says: ﴿Allah has forgiven you﴾ [At-Tawbah: 43].