He commanded him to rely on Allah and to be indifferent to the enemies of the religion. He explained that reliance is upon the clear truth, which is not subject to doubt or suspicion. In this, it is indicated that the possessor of the truth is worthy of trusting in Allah's actions and His support. And that one like him will not be forsaken. If you say: 'Indeed, you do not make the dead hear,' it seems to be another reason for reliance. What is the meaning of that? I say: Its meaning is that the command to rely is made a cause for what was distressing to the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, from the disbelievers and the People of the Book: their abandonment of following him and their accompanying harm and enmity. It was appropriate that the reliance of one who relies be justified by saying that their following is something one has despaired of, so there remains nothing but seeking help against them for their enmity and seeking to repel their evils and harm. They are likened to the dead while they are alive and possess senses, because if they hear what is recited to them from the verses of Allah, they are like blocks to the words, and their ears do not comprehend it, and their hearing is like no hearing. Their condition, due to the lack of benefit from hearing, is like that of the dead who have lost the ability to hear. Likewise, they are likened to the deaf, who are called to but do not hear. They are likened to the blind, as they stray from the path, and no one can remove that from them or make them guided except Allah, the Exalted. If you say: 'What is the meaning of His saying: 'When they turn away, retreating'?' I say: It is an affirmation of the state of the deaf, for when he distances himself from the caller by turning away, he is further from perceiving his voice. And it has been recited: 'And the deaf do not hear,' and 'And you are not a guide for the blind,' according to the original. And 'And He guides the blind.' And from Ibn Mas'ud: 'And you do not guide the blind,' and 'He guided him from misguidance.' Like your saying: 'He watered him from the thirst,' meaning: He distanced him from it by watering, and distanced him from misguidance by guidance. 'If you make them hear' means that your making them hear is only beneficial for those whom Allah knows will believe in His verses, meaning: they will affirm them. So they are Muslims, meaning: sincere, from His saying: 'Indeed, whoever submits his face to Allah,' meaning: he makes it safe for Allah, pure for Him.