Surah Al Anfal Notes (20-24)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Command to obey Allah and His Messenger

 (20) O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].

Allah commands His believing servants to obey Him and His Messenger and warns them against defying him and imitating the disbelievers who reject him.

(and turn not away from him...), neither refrain from obeying him or following his commands nor indulge in what he forbade.

(while you are hearing.) after you gained knowledge of his Message.

 (21) And do not be like those who say, "We have heard," while they do not hear.

(And be not like those who say: "We have heard,'' but they hear not.)

Ibn Ishaq said that this Ayah refers to the hypocrites, who pretend to hear and obey, while in fact they do neither. Allah declares that these are the most wicked creatures among the Children of Adam.

 (22) Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.

(Verily, the worst of living creatures with Allah are the deaf) who do not hear the truth.
(and the dumb) who cannot comprehend it.
(who understand not. ) These indeed are the most wicked creatures, for every creature except them abide by the way that Allah created in them. These people were created to worship Allah, but instead disbelieved. This is why Allah equated them to animals.

(23) Had Allah known any good in them, He would have made them hear. And if He had made them hear, they would [still] have turned away, while they were refusing.

(Had Allah known of any good in them, He would indeed have made them listen.)

He would have helped them understand. However, this did not happen because there is no goodness in such people, for Allah knows that, (even if He had made them listen...) and allowed them to understand, (they would but have turned...), intentionally and out of stubbornness, even after they comprehend,(with aversion.), to the truth.

The Command to answer and obey Allah and His Messenger

(24) O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.

(O you who believe! Answer Allah and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life,) "Answer when called to war (Jihad) with which Allah gives you might after meekness, and strength after weakness, and shields you from the enemy who oppressed you.''

Allah comes in between a Person and His Heart

The phrase: ‘Allah intervenes between a man and his heart’ indicates that Allah is aware and present everywhere, and He encompasses everything so that He is closer to us than our jugular vein is. All bounties and successes belong to Him, and the activities of intellect and soul are under His authority, too.

However, the acceptance of the Prophet's invitation is the same as the acceptance of Allah's invitation; and the real life of man lies in Faith and righteous deed, to which prophets have invited, too.