The first view is that of the Quranic commentators. Ibn ‘Abbās explained it as the blackness of faces caused by grief, and ‘Atā’ as the smoke of Hell; a report is also transmitted from Mujāhid.

The second meaning of ta’wīl—fulfilment—is the one found in several passages of the Quran, such as the words of Allah Most High:

“We have certainly brought them a Book which We have explained in detail with knowledge, as guidance and mercy for people who believe (52). Are they waiting for anything but its fulfilment? On the Day its fulfilment comes, those who had forgotten it before will say, ‘The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth. Do we now have any intercessors to intercede for us, or could we be sent back so that we might act differently from the way we used to act?’” [al-A‘rāf 52–53]

This is an awaited fulfilment that will come to pass. It has an appointed time in the future and has not yet occurred. Another example is the Prophet’s statement—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—when the words of Allah Most High were revealed to him:

“Or from beneath your feet.” [al-An‘ām 65]

He said: “It will indeed happen, but there has not come