A harmful behaviour observed in numerous nations across history

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَا فِى هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن ڪُلِّ مَثَلٍ۬‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَڪۡثَرَ شَىۡءٍ۬ جَدَلاً۬

And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Quran, for mankind. But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything]. [Al-Kahf. 54]

Allah informed us about the greatness of the Qur’an, its majesty and (perfect) inclusiveness, and that He has placed every kind of example in it – every path that leads to beneficial sciences and eternal happiness; every path that protects against evil and destruction. In it is clarification of halal and haram, recompense for one’s deeds, exhortation (towards good) and warning (against evil), true (information, stories) that are beneficial for the hearts regarding creed, a source of tranquillity and light (i.e. guidance). This necessitates that one should submit to this Qur’an, receive it with submission and obedience, and not to argue against it in any matter. Despite this, many people argue against truth – based on falsehood – after it has become clear.

لِيُدۡحِضُواْ بِهِ ٱلۡحَقَّ‌ۖ

“to dispute with false argument, in order to refute the truth thereby”.

This is why Allah stated:

وَكَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَڪۡثَرَ شَىۡءٍ۬ جَدَلاً۬

“But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything”.

Meaning, arguing and disputing against it, despite the fact that this is neither befitting (permissible) nor just, and what inevitably led him to this and make him not accept Iman is wrongdoing and obstinacy; but not due to any flaw in its explanation, Hujjah [clear and overwhelming proof that defeats all the obstinate and stubborn ones] and Burhaan [proof that clarify and distinguish between truth and falsehood in affair], rather, if the punishment and what happened to the previous nations came to them, this would have have been their state of affairs (i.e. disbelief). This is why Allah said:

وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤۡمِنُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن تَأۡتِيَہُمۡ سُنَّةُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَہُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ قُبُلاً۬

And nothing prevents men from believing, now when the guidance (the Quran) has come to them, and from asking Forgiveness of their Lord, except that the ways of the ancients be repeated with them (i.e. their destruction decreed by Allah), or the torment be brought to them face to face? [Al-Kahf. 55]

An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi