Allah addressed Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, on various occasions in the Qur’an with care and fondness.
“Ta’ Ha’ We did not reveal the Qur’an to you to cause you distress.” (20:1-2)
Experts have different opinions regarding the separate letters (huruf al muqatta’at) ‘Ta Ha’. Some of them opine that the letters, like other separate letters at the beginning of many other Surahs, have no specific meaning. Others opine that these refer to the Qur’an. Other experts are of the view that it is a form of personalised address to the Prophet. Here Allah is telling His Messenger lovingly that the Qur’an, as such, is not intended to cause him distress.
The Prophet was in distress because of the rejections of his message by the disbelievers. He felt sorry for them, as such rejections may invite anger of Allah. So, the Prophet was in anguish for the sake of care for all of his addressees and tried his best to bring all of them to the right way. Allah has expressed his utmost concern for other human beings in the following verse.
“(O Prophet), if they do not believe in this Message, you will perhaps torment yourself to death with grief, sorrowing over them.” (18:6)
In other words, this means that despite performing your assignments in the best possible manner these persons are not heeding your messages, take care of yourself and do not harm yourself, physically or mentally. The love of Allah for the Prophet is too obvious.
The denial of some people to follow the truth is not because of any problem with the truth or any deficiency in the efforts of the Messenger in presenting it. This is owing to the wrong application of free will and choice provided to them under the divine scheme. Allah could have sent down such signs that none would dare to refuse.
“If We willed, We could send down to them from the sky a sign for which their necks would remain humbled.” (26:4)
Such forced submission is beyond the scheme of the test of application of free will and choice in this world, as the purpose of the test itself would be defeated. This did not happen for the first time. Earlier Messengers were also ridiculed. Allah gave the disbelievers respite for a period and then, as a result of their failure to take the benefit of the opportunity of time, Allah caught them in severe punishments.
“Surely the Messengers before you were ridiculed, but I always initially granted respite to those who disbelieved, and then I seized them (with chastisement). Then, how awesome was My chastisement! (13:32)
These verses are not meant to tell the stories of the bygone days. The intention along with rebuttals and warnings to the disbelievers is to assuage the Prophet that despite his blemish-free and extraordinary efforts things are happening as has been happening in the past. Such denial of the message of Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of the Prophet is not a new phenomenon. These persons are falling in the footsteps of the disgraceful previous disbelievers.
“(O Prophet), (there is nothing novel in it) if they cry lies to you; Messengers before you were also cried lies to. To Allah shall all matters be sent back. “If they deny”: If they do not believe that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, and accuse you of having made a false claim to Prophethood.” (35:4)
Hence, the Prophet is advised to turn his attention from those adversaries and ignore them. “So, turn your attention away from them; you shall incur no blame” (51:54).
The Prophet is asked to tolerate the shameful behaviour of his opponents as he was in the adoring gaze of his Lord. So, he should continue exalting the Lord as his closeness and relationship with Him had a strong bond and was in no way affected by the behaviour of people and happenings around. “And be patient, [O Prophet], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes. And exalt [ Allah] with praise when you arise. (52:48)