The Bee
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE[16:35]
Now they who ascribe divinity to aught beside God say, "Had God so willed, we would not have worshipped aught but Him – neither we nor our forefathers; nor would we have declared aught as forbidden without a commandment from Him."
Even thus did speak those [sinners] who lived before their time; but, then, are the apostles bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrusted to them]?

---

* v.35 : Lit., “apart from Him.” See in this connection 6:148 and the corresponding note 141. (The arbitrary, unwarranted prohibitions and taboos alluded to in that verse as well as in the present one are discussed in 6:136-153 and explained in my notes.) The derision of God’s messages by the deniers of the truth is implied in their questioning His grant of free will to man – that is to say, the ability to choose between right and wrong, which is the basis of all morality.
* I.e., the apostles could not force anyone to make the right choice.