Tafsir al-Sadi - Abd al-Rahman al-Sadi’ - (468)

Tafsir al-SadiAbd al-Rahman al-Sadi’

(106–109) “And [We revealed] a Quran that We divided into parts so that you might recite it to the people gradually; and We sent it down progressively. Say, ‘Believe in it or do not believe. Indeed, when it is recited to those who were given knowledge before it, they fall upon their faces in prostration, and they say, “Glory be to our Lord! Our Lord’s promise will surely be fulfilled.” They fall upon their faces weeping, and it increases them in humble submission.’”

That is, We sent down this Quran in separate portions, distinguishing guidance from error and truth from falsehood. “So that you might recite it to the people gradually”; that is, at a measured pace, so that they might ponder it, reflect upon its meanings, and draw out the knowledge it contains.

“And We sent it down progressively”; that is, little by little, in separate portions over twenty-three years.

“They bring you no argument without Our bringing you the truth and the best explanation.” Once it is clear that this is the truth, in which there can be no doubt or uncertainty whatsoever, then “say” to those who deny it and turn away from it: “Believe in it or do not believe.” Allah has no need of you, and you cannot harm Him in the least. The harm falls only upon you. Allah has other servants besides you—those to whom He has granted beneficial knowledge: “When it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration”; that is, they are profoundly moved by it and submit to it.

“And they say, ‘Glory be to our Lord!’” declaring Him far above everything unbefitting His majesty that the polytheists attribute to Him. “Our Lord’s promise” of resurrection and recompense for deeds “will surely be fulfilled,” with no possibility of its failing and no doubt about it.

“And they fall upon their faces,” that is, on their faces, “weeping, and it”—the Quran—“increases them in humble submission.”

These are like those believers among the People of the Scripture upon whom Allah bestowed His favor—such as Abd Allah ibn Salām and others—who believed (1) during the lifetime of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and thereafter.

(1) In manuscript B: “embraced Islam.”

﴿١٠٦-١٠٩﴾ ﴿وَقُرْآنًا فَرَقْنَاهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَى مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَاهُ تَنْزِيلا * قُلْ آمِنُوا بِهِ أَوْ لا تُؤْمِنُوا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ إِذَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلأذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا * وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنْ كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولا * وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلأذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا﴾ . أي: وأنزلنا هذا القرآن مفرقًا، فارقًا بين الهدى والضلال، والحق والباطل. ﴿لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَى مُكْثٍ﴾ أي: على مهل، ليتدبروه ويتفكروا في معانيه، ويستخرجوا علومه. ﴿وَنزلْنَاهُ تَنزيلا﴾ أي: شيئًا فشيئًا، مفرقًا في ثلاث وعشرين سنة. ﴿ولا يأتونك بمثل إلا جئناك بالحق وأحسن تفسيرا﴾ فإذا تبين أنه الحق، الذي لا شك فيه ولا ريب، بوجه من الوجوه فـ: ﴿قُلْ﴾ لمن كذب به وأعرض عنه: ﴿آمِنُوا بِهِ أَوْ لا تُؤْمِنُوا﴾ فليس لله حاجة فيكم، ولستم بضاريه شيئًا، وإنما ضرر ذلك عليكم، فإن لله عبادًا غيركم، وهم الذين آتاهم الله العلم النافع: ﴿إِذَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلأذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا﴾ أي: يتأثرون به غاية التأثر، ويخضعون له. ﴿وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا﴾ عما لا يليق بجلاله، مما نسبه إليه المشركون. ﴿إِنْ كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا﴾ بالبعث والجزاء بالأعمال ﴿لَمَفْعُولا﴾ لا خلف فيه ولا شك. ﴿وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلأذْقَانِ﴾ أي: على وجوههم ﴿يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ﴾ القرآن ﴿خُشُوعًا﴾ وهؤلاء كالذين من الله عليهم من مؤمني أهل الكتاب كعبد الله ابن سلام وغيره، ممن أمن (١) في وقت النبي ﷺ وبعد ذلك.

(١) في ب: أسلم