[Fussilat 53]

His statement, Most High, “What they do not fully comprehend” [Yūnus 39] means that they did not fully comprehend the knowledge of the Quran—that is, the knowledge it contains—nor the knower. Another interpretation is that they did not know it to be false, since they were in doubt. This interpretation is weak.

Allah Most High says elsewhere:

“Did you deny My signs without fully comprehending them?” [al-Naml 84]

That is, your knowledge did not encompass them. Here, knowledge is described as encompassing what is known. At other times, the knower is described as encompassing knowledge, as in His statement, Most High:

“They encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills.” [al-Baqarah 255]

Knowledge is sometimes attributed to the knower and sometimes to what is known. This supports understanding His statement, Most High, “Rather, they have denied what they do not fully comprehend” [Yūnus 39] as meaning that they did not fully comprehend it: their knowledge did not encompass it. The knowledge it contains is included in this, so they did not encompass any of that knowledge.

This verse requires that a person not declare a report false unless he knows and recognizes that it is false. As for a report whose truth is unknown, he should refrain from pronouncing on it, as in His statement, Most High:

“If an evildoer brings you news, verify it, lest you harm people out of ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.” (6) [al-Hujurāt 6]

Thus, he should neither reject it as false nor pursue and follow it, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, instructed us concerning what the People of the Book relate to us.