Muqatil said: It was revealed concerning Abu Jahl. (1)

“They are not hidden from Us. Is one who is cast into the Fire”—namely, Abu Jahl—“better, or one who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection?” It was said that this refers to Hamzah; and it was also said: Uthman. Another view is that it refers to Ammar ibn Yasir. “Do whatever you wish”: this is a command conveying threat and warning. “Indeed, He sees all that you do”: He knows it and will requite you for it.

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes to them—and indeed, it is surely a mighty Book. (41) Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; it is a revelation from One All-Wise, Praiseworthy. (42) Nothing is said to you except what was said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is surely the Possessor of forgiveness and the Possessor of a painful punishment. (43) Had We made it a non-Arabic Quran, they would surely have said, ‘Why have its verses not been explained clearly? A non-Arabic Book and an Arab messenger?’ Say: ‘For those who believe, it is guidance and healing. But as for those who do not believe, there is deafness in their ears, and it is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a distant place.’ (44)”

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in the Reminder”: that is, the Quran, (2) “when it comes to them.” He then proceeds to describe the Reminder, leaving unstated the answer to the clause, “Indeed, those who disbelieve.” Its implied meaning is: Those who disbelieve in the Reminder will be requited for their disbelief. It was also said that its predicate comes later in His saying: “They are those who are called from a distant place.”

“And indeed, it is surely a mighty Book.” Al-Kalbi related from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: It is precious to Allah. Qatadah said: Allah, glorified and exalted is He, has endowed it with such might that falsehood can find no way to it. (3)

This is expressed in His saying: “Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it.” Qatadah and Al-Suddi said: Falsehood refers to Satan; he is unable to alter it, add anything to it, or take anything away from it. (4)

Al-Zajjaj said: Its meaning is that it is safeguarded from anything being taken away from it, such that falsehood would approach it from before it, or anything being added to it, such that falsehood would approach it from behind it. Accordingly, “falsehood” means addition and omission.

Muqatil said: No denial of it comes from the Books that came before it, nor will any Book come after it to invalidate it. “A revelation from One All-Wise, Praiseworthy.” Then He consoles His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, over their denials.

He says: “Nothing is said to you” of hurtful things “except what was said to the messengers before you.” That is, the prophets and messengers before you were called magicians, just as you are called one, and they were denied, just as you have been denied. “Indeed, your Lord is surely the Possessor of forgiveness” for whoever repents and believes in you, “and the Possessor of a painful punishment” for whoever persists in denial.

“Had We made it”—that is, had We made this Book which you recite to the people—“a non-Arabic Quran,” in a language other than