Here He mentions that He revealed the Book—for He revealed it in separate portions—and that He sent down the Torah and the Gospel. He also mentions that He sent down the Criterion. He, glorified and exalted, has sent down faith into hearts, and has sent down the Balance and faith. The “Balance” is also a means by which distinction is achieved, just as it is achieved through the Quran. When He sends down the Quran, faith and distinction result from it. A parallel is His statement:

“We certainly gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, a light, and a reminder.”

It has been said that the Criterion is the Torah, and it has also been said that it is His judgment in granting Moses victory over Pharaoh, as in His statement:

“If you have believed in Allah and in what We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Criterion.”

Likewise, He says:

“There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.”

It has been said that the “light” is Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and it has also been said that it is Islam.

And He says:

“There has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.”

It has been said that the “conclusive proof” is Muhammad, and it has also been said that it means evidence and proof. Another interpretation is that it is the Quran. Evidence and proof encompass the signs with which Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sent. There, however, He uses the expressions “We gave” and “there has come to you,” whereas here He says:

“And He sent down the Criterion.”

He uses the expression “sending down.” For this reason, it has become widely accepted among them that the Quran and conclusive proof are attained through knowledge and clear exposition, as has been achieved through the Quran, and also through reflection and differentiation between the people of truth and the people of falsehood: He delivers the former and grants them victory, while punishing the latter. He thus distinguishes between the two groups, just as one who distinguishes between Allah’s allies and His enemies does so by showing kindness to the former and punishing the latter.