Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Blessed is He): '(Blessed is He) He says: He possesses grace; it is also said this means: exalted, transcendent, exonerated is He, and He is too holy to have children or partners (in Whose hand is the Sovereignty) the power to bestow might and abasement and the power over the stores of all things, (and He is Able to do all things) to elevate or to abase.

(Who hath created life) resembling a white-and-black female horse which does not pass by, step on, or is smelled by a thing except that that thing becomes alive. This beast is smaller than a mule and bigger than an ass, one gallop can transport it as far as it can see. It is used as a means of travel by the prophets; (and death) resembling a ram whose wool is a mixture of white and black. This ram does not pass by, step on, or is smelled by, any thing except that that thing dies. It is also said that (He created death) means: He created the sperm drop; and (created life) means: He created the living being; (that He may try you) between life and death, (which of you is best in conduct) which of you is more sincere in works; (and He is the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (Forgiving) He forgives those who repent and believe in Him,

(Who hath created seven heavens in harmony) each one securely resting above the other, like a dome whose extremities are cemented with each other. (Thou) O Muhammad (canst see no fault) no crookedness (in the Beneficent One's creation) in the creation of the heavens; (then look again) at the sky: (Canst thou see any rifts) cracks, cleaves, defects or faults?

(Then look again and yet again) at the sky and reflect, (your sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim) before you see anything.

(And verily We have beatified the world's heaven) the first heaven (with lamps) with stars, (and We have made them) i.e. the stars (missiles for the devils) such that some of them become bewitched, some are killed while others are burnt, (and for them) for the devils (We have prepared) in the Hereafter (the doom of flame.

And for those who disbelieve in their Lord there is the doom of hell, a hapless journey's end) they shall come to in Gehenna!

(When they are flung therein) when one of the nation is flung therein, i.e. the Jews, Christians, the Magians and the Arab idolaters, (they hear its roaring) Gehenna emitting a sound like the sound of an ass (as it boils up,

As it would burst with rage) towards the disbelievers. (Whenever a (fresh) host) of disbelievers, i.e. the Jews, Christians, Magians and all other disbelievers (flung therein) in Gehenna (the wardens thereof) the wardens of Gehenna (ask them: Came there unto you no warner) a warning messenger?

(They say: Yea, verily, a warner) a warning messenger (came unto us; but we denied) the messengers (and said: Allah hath naught revealed) Allah has not revealed any Scripture nor has He sent any messenger to us; (ye are in naught) and we said to the messengers: you are in nothing (but a great error) ascribing partners to Allah; it is also said that the wardens of Gehenna will say to the disbelievers: when you were in the life of the world: you were in nothing but great error, i.e. idolatry.

(And they say) to the wardens: (Had we been wont to listen) to the Truth and guidance (or have sense) or desired the Truth in the life of the world, (we had not been among the dwellers in the flames) in Gehenna today.

(So they acknowledge their sins) they acknowledge their idolatry; (but far removed) from Allah's mercy and banished (are the dwellers in the flames) in the Fire today.

(Lo! those who fear their Lord) those who work for their Lord (in secret) even though they do not see Him, (theirs will be forgiveness) of their sins in the life of the world (and a great reward) in the Garden.

(And keep your opinion secret) about Muhammad (pbuh) through your treachery and betrayal (or proclaim it) through war and fighting, (lo! He is Knower of all that is in the breasts (of men)) He is the Knower of what is in people's hearts of good and evil.

(Should He not know) people's secrets (what He created) He Who created that which is secret? (And He is the Subtile) His subtle knowledge penetrates into that which is in the hearts, (the Aware) of what is in the hearts of good and evil; it is also said: His knowledge penetrates all things whether they are good or evil and He is Aware of them.

(He it is Who hath made the earth subservient unto you) He made it subservient by means of the mountains, (so walk in the paths) and it is also said: in the mountains, hills and valleys (thereof and eat of His providence) and you eat of His sustenance. (And unto Him will be the resurrection (of the dead)) and unto Him is the return after death.

(Have ye taken security) by your transgression, O people of Mecca, (from Him Who is in the heaven) from the chastisement of He Who is in Heaven established on the Throne (that He will not cause the earth to swallow you when lo! it is convulsed) swirling with you to the seventh earth, just as it has swallowed Korah?

(Or have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven) or have you taken security from the chastisement of He Who is in Heaven, established on the Throne, by your transgression (that He will not let loose on you a hurricane) that He will not send down on you stones just as He did with the folk of Lot? (But ye shall know the manner of My warning) you shall know how I turn against you with chastisement.

(And verily those before them) before your own folk, O Muhammad, (denied, then (see) the manner of My wrath (with them)) see how I turned against them with My chastisement!

(Have they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (not seen the birds above them) above their heads (spreading out their wings and closing them? Naught upholdeth them) after their spreading out (save the Beneficent. Lo! He is Seer of all things) whether it is spreading out or closing.

(Or who is he that will be an army unto you to help you instead of the Beneficent) who helps you to avoid the chastisement of the Beneficent? (The disbelievers are in naught but illusion) they are in nothing but the falsehoods and illusion of the life of the world.

(Or who is he that will provide for you) i.e. rain from the sky and vegetation in the earth (if He should withhold His providence) who would give you provision if He withholds His? (Nay, but they are set in pride) refusing to accept faith (and frowardness) remoteness from faith.

(Is he who goeth groping on his face) bent down in his error and disbelief, i.e. Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham (more rightly guided) more correct in his religion, (or he who walketh upright on a beaten road) on an established religion with which Allah is pleased, i.e. Islam? This refers to Muhammad (pbuh).

(Say (unto them, O Muhammad): He it is Who gave you being) He it is Who created you, (and hath assigned unto you ears) so that you would hear the Truth and guidance (and eyes) so that you would see the Truth and guidance (and hearts) so that you perceive the Truth and guidance. (Small thanks give ye!) He says: you give little thanks for all the things done for you; and it is also said this means: you do not give any thanks.

(Say: He it is Who multiplieth) Who creates (you in the earth) from Adam and Adam is from dust and dust is from the earth, (and unto Whom ye will be gathered) in the Hereafter, and there He will reward each according to his works.

(And they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (say: When (will) this promise) which you promised us ((be fulfilled), if ye are truthful) it will ever be fulfilled?

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (The knowledge) of the coming of the Hour and of the befalling of chastisement (is with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner) a warning messenger speaking to you with a language you understand;

(But when they see it) i.e. chastisement in the Fire (nigh) and it is said: with their own eyes, (the faces of those who disbelieve will be awry) due to the chastisement; and it is also said this means: the faces of the disbelievers will be burnt, (and it will be said (unto them): This) chastisement (is that for which ye used to call) in the life of the world; you used to say that it will never happen.

(Say (O Muhammad): Have ye thought) O people of Mecca: (Whether Allah causeth me (Muhammad) and those with me) among the believers (to perish) by chastising us (or hath mercy on us) by sparing us from the chastisement; he said: it is Allah Who has forgiven us such that He did not torment us; and it is Him Who has the power to show mercy towards us or destroy us, (still, who will protect the disbelievers from a painful doom?

Say) to them, O Muhammad: (He is the Beneficent) Who will save us and show mercy towards us. (In Him we believe) truly (and in Him we put our trust) and we rely on Him. (And you will soon know) when the chastisement comes down (who it is that is in error manifest) who it is that is in manifest disbelief.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Have ye thought) O people of Mecca: (If (all) your water) i.e. Zamzam (were to disappear into the earth) out of your reach, (who then could bring you gushing water) within your reach? It is also said that this means: who could bring you gushing water save the Creator of the whale and the pen'.