Abu al-Duha also narrated from Masruq, from ‘Abd Allah, who said: “The moon split in Mecca.” Muqatil said: “The moon split and then came back together afterward.”

Abu al-Duha narrated from Masruq, from ‘Abd Allah, who said: “The moon split during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” (1) Quraysh then said, “Ibn Abi Kabshah has bewitched you. Ask the travelers.” So they asked them, and they replied, “Yes, we saw it.” Thereupon Allah revealed: “The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split apart.” (2)

“If they see a sign, they turn away and say, ‘A passing spell.’ (2) They denied and followed their desires, yet every matter will be settled.” (3)

“If they see a sign, they turn away and say, ‘A passing spell’”: that is, it is something that will pass away, and will soon vanish and be rendered void. This is derived from their usage of the expressions “a thing passed away” and “it continued on” when it has gone, just as they say, “it settled” and “it became established.” This was the view of Mujahid and Qatadah.

Abu al-‘Aliyah and al-Dahhak said: “Passing” means powerful and intense, surpassing every spell. It derives from describing a rope as firm and tightly drawn, and from saying, “I tightened it,” meaning that I twisted it securely. A thing is likewise described as such when it becomes strong and firmly established. (3)

“They denied and followed their desires”: that is, they denied the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and what they had witnessed of Allah’s power, and they followed the falsehood that Satan had made appealing to them.

“Yet every matter will be settled.” Al-Kalbi said: “Every matter has a reality: whatever pertains to this world will become manifest, and whatever pertains to the Hereafter will become known.” Qatadah said: “Every matter will be settled: good will come to rest with the people of good, and evil will come to rest with the people of evil.” (4)

It was also said: Every matter, whether good or evil, has an appointed resting place. Good will come to rest with its people in Paradise, and evil will come to rest with its people in the Fire.

It was also said: The assertions of those who affirm and those who deny will be settled, until they come to know their true reality through reward and punishment. Muqatil said: “Every account has an ultimate end.” It was also said: Everything that has been decreed will inevitably come to pass.

Abu Ja‘far recited it as mustaqirrin, with the letter raa bearing kasrah, but this recitation has no valid basis.