CAUSE OF THE REVELATION

    Some commentators like TABARSI have narrated that, this verse was revealed on account of VALID- IBN- MAGHEREH; who was among the heads of the idolaters and a chief of a big clan, and also the planner and reflective mind of the pagans- he was in fact the one eyed king in the country of the blinds! Once he said to the prophet: ``If the prophet hood is something true and real, then I deserve more than any body else to be elected for such a position, because I am older than you. I have more wealth than most of the peoples, and besides all, I can read and write, an art that you lack it.''

      Such were his criterion, and standards for measuring man's personality and merits!

ONLY GOD IS TO ELECT HIS PROPHET

      In the preceding verse (No. 123) there was a phrase of irony, and very meaningful, saying that:

      ``We leave in all the town, THE GREAT LEADING SINNERS' to plot therein; but they only plot against themselves.''

      In other word, a rope was given to what is called the great leading sinners, in order to hang themselves!

      Here in this verse another aspect of these great leading sinners is discussed, and that is their standards and criterion for measuring the greatness and merits of a person - their scale weight is power, wealth, age, and social or political influence, and etc.

      On this basis, they think too much of themselves, and suppose that they have more liability to possess the high position of prophet hood! They know not that God's working will is according to His universal plan, and not according to the wishes of this and that.

      These great leading sinners who seek dignity and glory through their power, wealth, and plots, will soon be afflicted by a debasing humiliation in the sight of God, and they will have to taste a severe punishment for their wiles!