Translation
Why is it that in the generations before you, there were not people who developed good understanding (of the realities of life) and actively acted against evils and corruption on the earth, except a few whom We [God] delivered (in the end)? Those who pursued evils were more invested in the pleasure of this life and (in that process) proved their guilt. But your Sustainer God would never destroy a town (or its people) unjustly while they pursued goodness (even without faith).
If your Sustainer God had willed, He would have converged all people to a single, like-minded community but people never ceased to differ among themselves, except those (who sought and) received God’s grace. This is the merit for creating them (in the first place) and God’s word will come to fruition: “I will make them face the consequence (fill hell), any and all from among jins (spirits) and human beings, (for failing to unite and do goods).” 513
We [God] bring these narratives of the (previous) messengers (and communities) to you to strengthen your hearts. In this (narrative and guidance, i.e., the Qur’an), there is truth, words of caution and a reminder for you and the believers. Say to those who deny faith (and goodness): “Act according to your ability and plan, and we will do the same. You should wait and we wait with you as well.”
All that is unseen (by humans to date and future events yet to unfold) in the universe and on this earth are in the purview of God alone and all matters returns to God for their eventual resolution. So, you should worship and serve Him alone and put your trust in Him alone; your Sustainer God is never indifferent to or unaware of your actions and conducts.514
Interpretation
513 The expectation from God of mankind was that we should unite as people despite our differences by seeking knowledge, preferring goodness over evils, and putting this life in relationship to our larger expanse of existence, both before and after death. Yet we have let our differences dominate our world and acted in narrow self-interest to perpetuate evils against goodness, despite God’s assurance that He will not call to face consequences if people act in goodness to each other, even if they fail to attain faith, and God’s mercy will lead them toward faith still. Such is the benevolence of God Almighty that we neglect and fail to take advantage of.
514 This chapter ends by reiterating the purpose of the narratives—the stories and examples of people from the past given in the Qur’an to make us aware of what is the truth, why personal accountability matters, and how we can be mindful of our existence on this planet. We are reminded again and again that belief and trust in God, His overarching mercy for His creation, and His attention to our personal and communal conducts. All will come together to define who we are and how we will succeed or fail as human beings.
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REFLECTION
The realities of life and our relationship with God and His creation are matters of grave importance that the world has largely forgotten leading humanity on a path of discord and disunity.
ACTION
We are facing a generational crisis in lack of faith and lack of human goodness around the world, clearly negating the purpose of our existence and our success as human beings. Failing to unite in our faith in God and our common humanity, falling short of our personal and communal sense of responsibility to one another, and the negative consequences of not committing to human goodness are proving to be disastrous, despite the enormous creature comforts and technological advances we have made in our contemporary world.