of someone, saying to one of his attendants, “Take him by the hand and make him stand.”

“Then We would certainly have severed his aorta (46), and none of you could have restrained Us from him (47). Indeed, it is a reminder for the God-fearing (48). And indeed, We know that among you are those who deny (49). And indeed, it will be a source of regret for the disbelievers (50). And indeed, it is the certain truth (51). So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great (52).”

“Then We would certainly have severed his aorta.” Ibn Abbas said: “That is, the artery of the heart,” and this is the view of most exegetes. Mujahid said: “It is the cord that is in the back.” It was also said that it is a vein running through the back until it joins the heart; when it is severed, its owner dies.

“And none of you could have restrained Us from him”: that is, none could prevent Us from punishing him. The meaning is that Muhammad would not burden himself with falsehood for your sake, knowing that, if he did so, We would punish him and that no one could ward Our punishment away from him. The plural “restrainers” is used although it refers to a single individual, in consideration of the meaning, as in His saying: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers” (al-Baqarah, 285).

“And indeed, it”—meaning the Quran—“is a reminder for the God-fearing”: that is, an admonition for whoever fears Allah’s punishment.

“And indeed, We know that among you are those who deny. And indeed, it will be a source of regret for the disbelievers”: on the Day of Resurrection, they will regret having failed to believe in it.

“And indeed, it is the certain truth”: it is annexed to itself because the two words differ in wording.

“So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.”