23إِلّا بَلاغًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِسالاتِهِ ۚ وَمَن يَعصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسولَهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ نارَ جَهَنَّمَ خالِدينَ فيها أَبَدًاMuhammad Asadif I should fail to convey1 [to the world whatever illumination comes to me] from God and His messages." Now as for him who rebels against God and His Apostle - verily, the fire of hell awaits him, therein to abide beyond the count of time.2Lit., "except through an announcement" (illa balaghan). In this instance, however, the particle illa is evidently a contraction of in la ("if not"): thus, the above phrase signifies "if I do not [or "if should fail to"] convey...", etc. (Tabari, Zamakhshari, Razi).This obviously relates to "those who are bent on denying the truth" - i.e., consciously - and thus destroy their own spiritual identity. The people alluded to in this particular instance are those who "would gladly overwhelm God's servant with their crowds" (verse 19).