“Indeed, this is truly a noble Quran, in a well-protected Record, touched by none except the purified—a revelation from the Lord of all worlds. Is it this message, then, that you compromise over? And is denial how you repay the provision you receive? Then why, when the soul reaches the throat while you look on—and We are nearer to the dying person than you are, though you do not see—why, if you are not subject to recompense, do you not return it, if you are truthful?”

As for the subject of the oath, it affirms the Quran and establishes that it is the truth, containing no doubt or uncertainty. It is noble—that is, abundant in goodness and rich in knowledge. Every good and every branch of knowledge is derived and deduced from the Book of Allah.

“In a well-protected Record”—that is, concealed from the eyes of creation. This well-protected Record is the Preserved Tablet. In other words, this Quran is inscribed upon the Preserved Tablet, honored by Allah and by His angels in the highest assembly.

It is also possible that the well-protected Record means the record in the hands of the angels whom Allah sends down with His revelation and what He reveals (1), and that its being protected means that it is concealed from the devils. They have no power (2) to alter it, add anything to it, subtract anything from it, or steal it.

“Touched by none except the purified”—that is, none touch the Quran except the noble angels whom Allah Most High has purified of afflictions, sins, and faults. Since none touch it except the purified, while impure beings and devils have neither the ability nor the means to touch it, the verse indicates by implication (3) that none may touch the Quran unless they are in a state of purity, as stated in the hadith. It has therefore been said that the verse is declarative in wording but prohibitive in meaning: none may touch the Quran unless they are in a state of purity.

“A revelation from the Lord of all worlds”—that is, this Quran, which possesses those sublime qualities, is a revelation from the Lord of all worlds, who nurtures His servants through His religious and worldly blessings. One of the greatest ways in which the Lord has nurtured His servants is by sending down this Quran, which encompasses the welfare of both worlds. Through it, Allah has shown His servants a mercy for which they can never thank Him adequately.

They must uphold it (4), proclaim it openly, call others to it, and declare it boldly. Hence He said: “Is it this message, then, that you compromise over?” That is: Are you concealing this magnificent Book and wise Reminder and dealing evasively with it out of fear of people, their reproach, and their tongues? This is neither proper nor fitting. Only a message whose own bearer does not trust it is fit to be handled evasively.

As for the noble Quran, it is the truth: no one enters into contention armed with it without prevailing, and no one advances with it without gaining the upper hand over others. It is not something to be compromised over or concealed; rather, it must be declared boldly and proclaimed openly.

His words, “And is denial how you repay the provision you receive?” mean that you respond to Allah’s favor in providing for you by denying the truth and disbelieving in His blessing. Thus you say, “We received rain because of such-and-such a star,” attributing the blessing to someone other than the One who bestowed and granted it. Why, then, do you not thank Allah Most High for His kindness when He sends rain down to you so that He may grant you yet more of His bounty? Denial and ingratitude cause blessings to be withdrawn and afflictions to descend.

“Then why, when the soul reaches the throat while you look on—and We are nearer to the dying person than you are, though you do not see—” That is: Why, when the soul reaches the throat and you are watching the dying person in that state, while We are nearer to him than you are through Our knowledge and Our angels—though you do not see them—

“Why, if you are not subject to recompense”—that is, if you claim that you will neither be resurrected nor called to account and requited—

why do you not return the soul to its body, “if you are truthful”? You acknowledge that you are incapable of returning it to its place. You must therefore either acknowledge the truth brought to you by Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, or persist in obstinate denial, knowing your condition and the evil end awaiting you.