How fitting it is to understand interpretation as referring to the Quran as a whole.

If it is objected, “But the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed for Ibn Abbās, ‘O Allah, grant him understanding of the religion and teach him interpretation,’” the answer is: He can know the interpretation of commands and prohibitions. The definite article here refers to the interpretation in question; the Prophet did not say, “the interpretation of the entire Quran.” The interpretation whose knowledge is denied to people concerns reports whose underlying reality is known only to Allah. The interpretation that can be known concerns matters whose interpretation people know. This is like His words:

“Do they await anything but its fulfillment? The Day its fulfillment comes…”

And His words:

“Rather, they have denied what they do not encompass in knowledge and whose fulfillment has not yet come to them.”

What is meant is the interpretation of reports concerning the future, for that is what is “awaited,” what “comes,” and what “has not yet come to them.” As for the interpretation of commands and prohibitions, that pertains to what is commanded. The interpretation of reports about Allah and those who lived in the past—if included under the term “interpretation”—is not something to be awaited.

Allah, glorified is He, knows best, and success comes through Him.