there would have been no need for that. Moreover, He has said, “upon clear evidence from his Lord,” thus already stating that the Quran is from Allah. It is also known that Gabriel brought it down to Muhammad, and that both conveyed and recited it. Thus, saying that Gabriel or Muhammad “and recites it” amounts to pointless repetition. This is why nothing of this kind is mentioned in the Quran.

Furthermore, we find no parallel in the Quran for someone being “upon the Quran,” for the Quran is Allah’s speech, and one is not said to be “upon” it. If what is meant is believing in the Quran and acting upon it, then this is precisely what we have explained: the clear evidence is faith in what the Messenger brought—namely, his declaration that he is Allah’s Messenger and that Allah sent the Quran down to him. When this surah, which is Meccan, was revealed, only part of the Quran had been revealed before it. What people were commanded to do at that time was to believe in what had been revealed of it. Whoever believed in that at the time and died upon that faith was among the people of Paradise.

Furthermore, calling Gabriel a witness has no parallel in the Quran. Likewise, calling the Messenger’s tongue a witness, or calling ‘Alī a witness, has no parallel in the Book and the Sunnah. This is unlike Allah’s testimony: Allah has spoken in several places of His testimony in support of His Messenger, and He has called what He revealed a testimony from Him, saying:

“And who is more unjust than one who conceals a testimony he has from Allah?”

This indicates that Allah’s speech, which He sent down and in which He conveyed what He conveyed, is a testimony from Him.