“They do not bring you any argument but that We bring you the truth and the best explanation. Those who will be gathered face-down into Hell—they are worst in position and farthest astray from the way.” (33–34)
“And thus We have made”—that is, just as We made enemies for you from among the idolaters of your people, so too We have made “for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals”—that is, the idolaters. Muqatil said: He is saying: Do not let this weigh heavily upon you, for the prophets before you encountered the same from their peoples. So be patient with My command as they were patient, for I shall support and guide you: “And sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and a Helper.”
“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Quran not sent down to him all at once?’” That is, as the Torah was sent down to Moses, the Gospel to Jesus, and the Psalms to David. Allah Most High said: “Thus”—this is what I have done—“that We may strengthen your heart thereby”; that is, We sent it down in portions so that your heart might be strengthened by it, enabling you to comprehend and retain it. The scriptures were sent down to prophets who wrote and read, whereas Allah sent down the Quran to an unlettered Prophet who neither wrote nor read. Moreover, some parts of the Quran abrogate others, and some of it answers those who asked about certain matters. Thus, We revealed it in portions so that it would be more readily retained by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and easier for those who act upon it.
“And We have recited it distinctly.” Ibn Abbas said: “We made it clear with full clarity.” Distinct recitation means making something clear with deliberation and carefulness. Al-Suddi said: “We expounded it in detail.” Mujahid said: “Part of it followed after another.” Al-Nakha‘i, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah said: “We divided it up, verse after verse.”
“They do not bring you,” O Muhammad—that is, these idolaters—“any argument” by which they seek to invalidate your matter, “but that We bring you the truth”; that is, that by which you may refute and invalidate the argument they have brought. Thus, the specious doubts they put forward are called arguments, while that which repels those doubts is called truth. “And the best explanation”; that is, the clearest exposition and detail. Tafsir is derived from a word meaning to uncover that which has been concealed.
Then He mentioned the final outcome of these idolaters, saying: “Those”—that is, they are those—(1) “who will be gathered face-down,” being driven and dragged, “into Hell. They are worst in position”; that is, in rank and standing; it is also said: in dwelling and final destination. “And farthest astray from the way”; that is, most mistaken in path.