Page 30 - Those Who Do Not Heed The Qur'an

28 THOSE WHO DO NOT HEED THE QUR'AN

displease their leaders.
The unbelievers are so attached to their leaders that they will also
battle opposing ideas. So, unless their leader gives permission, it is
impossible for these unbelievers to listen to the words of those who
call them to Allah, to read books on the topic, or even to believe in
Allah. This is not a new situation, as we mentioned in the first part
of the book, every prophet has faced leaders who try to prevent peo-

ple from listening to, or following, the prophet. For example, when
the Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) invited the people of
Pharaoh to believe in Allah's verses, they were powerless against
the Pharaoh, accepted his leadership and followed his orders for
good or ill without reflection. However, the Qur'an points out that
the Pharaoh was a leader summoning his people to the fire:
We sent Musa with Our Signs and clear authority to Pharaoh
and his ruling circle. They followed Pharaoh's command but
Pharaoh's command was not rightly guided. He will go ahead
of his people on the day of rising and lead them down into the
Fire... (Surah Hud: 96-98)

Just as they control how their people live their lives, absolute
leaders also determine how they think. Recall how the Pharaoh re-
sisted Musa (peace be upon him) despite every proof offered, and
how his resistance also drove his subjects into the same deviation.
The Qur'an's example of Pharaoh thus indicates clearly the pressure
leaders of the unbelievers can exert on their societies and its beliefs:
He said, "Have you believed in him before I authorised you?
He is your chief who taught you magic. But you will soon
know! I will cut off your alternate hands and feet and I will
crucify every one of you." (Surat ash-Shu'ara': 49)

This verse highlights that one of the main characteristics of abso-