Overall meaning : Almighty Allah says: Say, Muhammad, 'This is my way. With sure knowledge and clear evidence do I call on people to worship Allah alone, and so do those who follow me. I declare Allah absolutely free from all imperfections, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah and worship them besides Him.
The Almighty then explains to His Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that the messengers He sent before him were not but men—neither angels not women—to whom He revealed to call people to worship Him alone and obey His commands, and they were among city dwellers (because city dwellers generally tend to be more knowledgeable, more forbearing, and wiser than desert dwellers who are mostly characterized by crudeness, harshness and ignorance).
Have these idolaters who associate partners with Allah not travelled through the land and seen how Allah had destroyed the nations before them who denied and rejected the messengers, and try to pay heed? Just as We saved those who do what We command and avoid what We forbid in the world when punishment descended on the unbelievers and the disobedient, so We will save them in the hereafter as well. Surely the abode of the hereafter—Paradise and its eternal bliss—is far better for those who do what Allah commands and avoid what He forbids. Will they, then, not reflect on the dire consequences of unbelief and the rich reward Allah has in store for the righteous so that they may believe in Allah and desist from ascribing partners to Him?
When at length Allah’s messengers despaired and it occurred to them that the help they had been promised was denied them, due to the prolonged adversity and delayed victory, His help suddenly came to them, and He saved them along with their believing followers. No one can possibly save the idolaters and the unbelievers who deny and reject their messengers from Allah’s punishment.
In the story of Joseph and his brothers and the stories of messengers with their nations there is truly a lesson for those who are endowed with insight and sound intellects. This Qur’an and the stories it contains cannot be a fabrication, rather it is a confirmation of the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier scriptures that were revealed to Allah’s prophets, a detailed explanation of everything people need, as well as guidance and mercy for people who believe.