“Who created.” Al-Kalbi said: that is, all created beings. He then explained it, saying: “Created man”—that is, He created (1) the son of Adam—“from clinging clots,” the plural of a clinging clot.

“Read”: it is repeated for emphasis. He then began anew, saying: “And your Lord is the Most Generous.” Al-Kalbi said: the Forbearing One toward His servants’ ignorance, who does not hasten to punish them.

“Who taught by the pen (4), taught man what he did not know (5). No! Truly, man transgresses all bounds (6) because he sees himself self-sufficient (7). Truly, to your Lord is the return (8). Have you seen the one who forbids (9) a servant when he prays (10)?”

“Who taught by the pen”: that is, writing and script. “Taught man what he did not know”: of the various forms of guidance and clarification. It was also said: He taught Adam all the names. And it was said that “man” here refers to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as is shown by His saying: “And He taught you what you did not know” (al-Nisa 4:113).

“No!” means: truly. “Truly, man transgresses all bounds”: he exceeds his proper limits and behaves arrogantly toward his Lord. “Because”: that is, because “he sees himself self-sufficient,” seeing himself to be wealthy. Al-Kalbi said: he rises from one level to another in clothing, food, and other such things.

Muqatil said: It was revealed concerning Abu Jahl. Whenever he acquired wealth, he increased his expenditure on his clothing, mount, and food; that was his transgression. “Truly, to your Lord is the return”: that is, the return in the Hereafter. The term ruj‘a (return) is a verbal noun in the fu‘la pattern (2). “Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays?” It was revealed concerning Abu Jahl, who forbade the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, from praying (3).

Ismail ibn Abd al-Qahir informed us; Abd al-Ghafir ibn Muhammad informed us; Muhammad ibn Isa al-Juludi informed us; Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Sufyan narrated to us; Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj narrated to us; Abd Allah ibn Muadh and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Ala al-Qaysi said: Al-Mutamir narrated to us from his father, who said: Nuaym ibn Abi Hind narrated to me, from Abu Hazim, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: Abu Jahl said, “Does Muhammad put his face in the dust among you?” He was told, “Yes.” He said, “By al-Lat (4)”