[Surah al-Zukhruf: 36]

That is, from the Reminder that I revealed.

The exegetes said: He turns away from it, paying no heed to His words and fearing not His punishment.

This usage also appears in His saying:

“And this is a blessed Reminder which We have sent down.”

[Surah al-Anbiyā: 50]

And His saying:

“No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord.”

[Surah al-Anbiyā: 2]

It is corroborated by the other verse:

“Whoever turns away from My remembrance.”

[Surah Tā Hā: 124]

He then said:

“Thus did Our signs come to you, but you disregarded them; and so today you will be disregarded.”

[Surah Tā Hā: 126]

Thus, everyone who averts his gaze from the Quran will have a devil appointed to lead him astray, regardless of what acts of worship he may perform.

Regarding the word yashu (“turns away”), it is reported from Ibn Abbas that it means “becomes blind.” The same was said by Atā and Ibn Zayd ibn Aslam. Abū Ubaydah likewise said, “His eye grows dark” (1). Ibn Qutaybah adopted this interpretation and preferred it to the view of those who said that it means “turns away.” Ashā denotes weakness of vision, which is why the word yashu is used here.

Another group said that it means “turns away.” This was reported by al-Dahhāk from Ibn Abbas and was also stated by Qatādah; al-Farrā and al-Zajjāj adopted it as well (2). This is correct in terms of the meaning, for the word yashu incorporates the sense of “turns away.” It is therefore construed with the preposition (3) “from,” just as one says, “You are blind to so-and-so’s virtues,” when you turn away and do not look at them.

Thus, the word yashu means that one is (4) dim-sighted toward them (5). This is less severe than blindness (6), for he looks at them only with impaired vision.