Unbelief Starts with Ingratitude
This is according to Hojat-ol-Islam Hadi Abbasi Khorasani, a seminary teacher, who made the remarks in a session on interpreting verses 32-33 of Surah Al-Imran. Here is a summary of his remarks:
“Say: 'Obey Allah and the Messenger. ' But if they turn away, then truly, Allah does not love the unbelievers. Allah chose Adam and Noah, the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all worlds.” (Surah Al-Imran, verses 32-33)
The first point that can be obtained from these verses is that love is a combination of obedience and knowledge, and all the principles of human life are based on love, and that love is the mediator between man and God. The verse bears a special address and explains the notion of obedience. The reason that the word “obey” is not repeated is that obedience to God and the Prophet (PBUH) cannot be separated.
Grateful vs ungrateful
Usually, the word “Kafirin” [disbelievers/ungrateful individuals] is placed in front of “Shakirin” [thankful] in the Quran. Verse 3 of Surah Al-Insan can be mentioned as an example. “Surely We have shown him the way: he may be thankful or unthankful.”
Kufr which refers to denying religion starts with being unthankful because individuals will not fall into the abyss of Kufr if they truly believe in the existence of God who has bestowed mercies.
Quran mother of history books
Another point about this verse is that the tree of prophethood is briefly mentioned in this verse. The Quran is not a book of history, but it is the mother of history books; this means the principles of history are stated in it but it does not contain detailed historical anecdotes, except for some stories that bear important points.
