'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful'

And when his words, blessings and peace be upon him, concluded in this marvelous manner, He, glorified and exalted is He, informed that his people found no response to him at all; because they had resorted to defending themselves by action, which is a sign of severance. So he began anew: "The leaders said," meaning: the nobles,

"Those who were arrogant," meaning: they manifested arrogance as someone who is seeking it with utmost desire. He specified them to achieve the completeness of consolation by saying: "From his people, we will surely expel you." And He clarified their harshness and rudeness by their words: "O Shu'ayb," without any plea or reverence. "And those who believed" and it is permissible that his saying: "with you" relates to "believed" and to "we will expel."

"From our town," meaning: from the place that gathers us for your separation from us,

"Or you will surely return," meaning: unless you return, that is: the end of the two matters will be either expulsion or return,

"To our religion," meaning: by remaining silent about us as you used to. And they did not intend from him to return to disbelief; because he, blessings and peace be upon him, was protected before prophethood like his brothers from the prophets, peace be upon them. Rather, they considered his silence, blessings and peace be upon him, before his sending to them from his supplication against their deities and the criticism of their religion, as being part of their religion. Their intention now is for him, blessings and peace be upon him, to return to that state and the satisfaction of those who followed him by that, so their intention in the return is truly for all.

And when both expulsion and return were greatly significant, He, the Exalted, informed that he denied it by saying: "Do you expel us or return us if we were pleased with expulsion and return even if we were unwilling?"