6. Al-An'aam

Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the Unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then consider? (50)And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may have Taqwa (51)And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and evening seeking His Face. You are accountable for them in nothing, and they are accountable for you in nothing, that you may turn them away, and thus become of the wrongdoers (52)Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us?" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful (53)When those who believe in Our Ayat come to you, say: "Salamun 'Alaykum" (peace be on you); your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (54)

The Messenger Neither has the Key to Allah's Treasures, Nor Knows the Unseen

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ,

قُل لَّا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ

(Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah.") meaning, I do not own Allah's treasures or have any power over them,

وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ

(nor (that) I know the Unseen,) and I do not say that I know the Unseen, because its knowledge is with Allah and I only know what He conveys of it to me.

وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ

(nor I tell you that I am an angel.) meaning, I do not claim that I am an angel. I am only a human to whom Allah sends revelation, and He honored me with this duty and favored me with it.

إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ

(I but follow what is revealed to me.) and I never disobey the revelation in the least.

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ

(Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal?") meaning, 'Is the one who is guided, following the truth, equal to the one misled?'

أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Will you not then consider?) In another Ayah, Allah said;

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

(Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.)[13:19] Allah's statement,

وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ

(And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him,) means, warn with this Qur'an, O Muhammad ﷺ,

الَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ

(Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord)[23:57], who,

يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ

(Fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.)[13:21],

الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ

(those who …

Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the Unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then consider? (50)And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may have Taqwa (51)And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and evening seeking His Face. You are accountable for them in nothing, and they are accountable for you in nothing, that you may turn them away, and thus become of the wrongdoers (52)Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us?" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful (53)When those who believe in Our Ayat come to you, say: "Salamun 'Alaykum" (peace be on you); your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (54)

The Messenger Neither has the Key to Allah's Treasures, Nor Knows the Unseen

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ,

قُل لَّا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ

(Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah.") meaning, I do not own Allah's treasures or have any power over them,

وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ

(nor (that) I know the Unseen,) and I do not say that I know the Unseen, because its knowledge is with Allah and I only know what He conveys of it to me.

وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ

(nor I tell you that I am an angel.) meaning, I do not claim that I am an angel. I am only a human to whom Allah sends revelation, and He honored me with this duty and favored me with it.

إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ

(I but follow what is revealed to me.) and I never disobey the revelation in the least.

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ

(Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal?") meaning, 'Is the one who is guided, following the truth, equal to the one misled?'

أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Will you not then consider?) In another Ayah, Allah said;

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

(Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.)[13:19] Allah's statement,

وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ

(And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him,) means, warn with this Qur'an, O Muhammad ﷺ,

الَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ

(Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord)[23:57], who,

يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ

(Fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.)[13:21],

الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ

(those who …

Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the Unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then consider? (50)And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may have Taqwa (51)And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and evening seeking His Face. You are accountable for them in nothing, and they are accountable for you in nothing, that you may turn them away, and thus become of the wrongdoers (52)Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us?" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful (53)When those who believe in Our Ayat come to you, say: "Salamun 'Alaykum" (peace be on you); your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (54)

The Messenger Neither has the Key to Allah's Treasures, Nor Knows the Unseen

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ,

قُل لَّا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ

(Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah.") meaning, I do not own Allah's treasures or have any power over them,

وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ

(nor (that) I know the Unseen,) and I do not say that I know the Unseen, because its knowledge is with Allah and I only know what He conveys of it to me.

وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ

(nor I tell you that I am an angel.) meaning, I do not claim that I am an angel. I am only a human to whom Allah sends revelation, and He honored me with this duty and favored me with it.

إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ

(I but follow what is revealed to me.) and I never disobey the revelation in the least.

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ

(Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal?") meaning, 'Is the one who is guided, following the truth, equal to the one misled?'

أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Will you not then consider?) In another Ayah, Allah said;

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

(Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.)[13:19] Allah's statement,

وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ

(And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him,) means, warn with this Qur'an, O Muhammad ﷺ,

الَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ

(Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord)[23:57], who,

يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ

(Fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.)[13:21],

الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ

(those who …

Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the Unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me." Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then consider? (50)And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may have Taqwa (51)And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morning and evening seeking His Face. You are accountable for them in nothing, and they are accountable for you in nothing, that you may turn them away, and thus become of the wrongdoers (52)Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored from amongst us?" Does not Allah know best those who are grateful (53)When those who believe in Our Ayat come to you, say: "Salamun 'Alaykum" (peace be on you); your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (54)

The Messenger Neither has the Key to Allah's Treasures, Nor Knows the Unseen

Allah said to His Messenger ﷺ,

قُل لَّا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِندِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ

(Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah.") meaning, I do not own Allah's treasures or have any power over them,

وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ

(nor (that) I know the Unseen,) and I do not say that I know the Unseen, because its knowledge is with Allah and I only know what He conveys of it to me.

وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ

(nor I tell you that I am an angel.) meaning, I do not claim that I am an angel. I am only a human to whom Allah sends revelation, and He honored me with this duty and favored me with it.

إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ

(I but follow what is revealed to me.) and I never disobey the revelation in the least.

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ

(Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal?") meaning, 'Is the one who is guided, following the truth, equal to the one misled?'

أَفَلَا تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Will you not then consider?) In another Ayah, Allah said;

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

(Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.)[13:19] Allah's statement,

وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ

(And warn therewith those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him,) means, warn with this Qur'an, O Muhammad ﷺ,

الَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ

(Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord)[23:57], who,

يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ

(Fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.)[13:21],

الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ

(those who …

And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, that the way of the criminals, may become manifest (55)Say: "I have been forbidden to worship those whom you invoke (worship) besides Allah." Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, I would go astray, and I would not be one of the rightly guided. (56)Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord, but you deny it. I do not have what you are hastily seeking (the torment). The decision is only for Allah, He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges. (57)Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I, but Allah knows best the wrongdoers. (58)And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is on the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record (59)

The Prophet (ﷺ) Understands What He Conveys; Torment is in Allah's Hands Not the Prophet's

Allah says, just as We mentioned the clear signs that testify and direct to the path of guidance, all the while chastising useless arguments and defiance,

كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ

(And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail,) that is, whatever responsible adults need explained to them, in the affairs of life and religion,

وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

(That the way of the criminals may become manifest.) so that the path of the criminals who defy the Prophets is apparent and clear. This Ayah was also said to mean, so that you, O Muhammad ﷺ, are aware of the path of the criminals. Allah's statement,

قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي

(Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord...") means: I have a clear understanding of the Law of Allah that He has revealed to me,

وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِ

(but you deny it.) meaning, but you disbelieve in the truth that came to me from Allah.

مَا عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ

(I do not have what you are hastily seeking) meaning, the torment,

إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ

(The decision is only for Allah,) for the ruling of this is with Allah. If He wills, He will punish you soon in response to your wish! If He wills, He will give you respite, out of His great wisdom. This is why Allah said,

يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ

(He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.) and the best in reckoning between His servants. Allah's statement,

قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ لَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ

(Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I,") means, if I have what you ask for, I will surely send down what you deserve of it,

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

(but Allah knows best the wrongdoers)

Someone might ask about the meaning of this Ayah compared to the Hadith in the Two Sahihs, from 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said to the Messenger, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Have you encountered a day harder than the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet ﷺ replied,

لَقَدْ لَقِيتُ …

And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, that the way of the criminals, may become manifest (55)Say: "I have been forbidden to worship those whom you invoke (worship) besides Allah." Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, I would go astray, and I would not be one of the rightly guided. (56)Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord, but you deny it. I do not have what you are hastily seeking (the torment). The decision is only for Allah, He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges. (57)Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I, but Allah knows best the wrongdoers. (58)And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is on the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record (59)

The Prophet (ﷺ) Understands What He Conveys; Torment is in Allah's Hands Not the Prophet's

Allah says, just as We mentioned the clear signs that testify and direct to the path of guidance, all the while chastising useless arguments and defiance,

كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ

(And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail,) that is, whatever responsible adults need explained to them, in the affairs of life and religion,

وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

(That the way of the criminals may become manifest.) so that the path of the criminals who defy the Prophets is apparent and clear. This Ayah was also said to mean, so that you, O Muhammad ﷺ, are aware of the path of the criminals. Allah's statement,

قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي

(Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord...") means: I have a clear understanding of the Law of Allah that He has revealed to me,

وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِ

(but you deny it.) meaning, but you disbelieve in the truth that came to me from Allah.

مَا عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ

(I do not have what you are hastily seeking) meaning, the torment,

إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ

(The decision is only for Allah,) for the ruling of this is with Allah. If He wills, He will punish you soon in response to your wish! If He wills, He will give you respite, out of His great wisdom. This is why Allah said,

يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ

(He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.) and the best in reckoning between His servants. Allah's statement,

قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ لَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ

(Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I,") means, if I have what you ask for, I will surely send down what you deserve of it,

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

(but Allah knows best the wrongdoers)

Someone might ask about the meaning of this Ayah compared to the Hadith in the Two Sahihs, from 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said to the Messenger, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Have you encountered a day harder than the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet ﷺ replied,

لَقَدْ لَقِيتُ …

And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, that the way of the criminals, may become manifest (55)Say: "I have been forbidden to worship those whom you invoke (worship) besides Allah." Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, I would go astray, and I would not be one of the rightly guided. (56)Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord, but you deny it. I do not have what you are hastily seeking (the torment). The decision is only for Allah, He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges. (57)Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I, but Allah knows best the wrongdoers. (58)And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is on the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record (59)

The Prophet (ﷺ) Understands What He Conveys; Torment is in Allah's Hands Not the Prophet's

Allah says, just as We mentioned the clear signs that testify and direct to the path of guidance, all the while chastising useless arguments and defiance,

كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ

(And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail,) that is, whatever responsible adults need explained to them, in the affairs of life and religion,

وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

(That the way of the criminals may become manifest.) so that the path of the criminals who defy the Prophets is apparent and clear. This Ayah was also said to mean, so that you, O Muhammad ﷺ, are aware of the path of the criminals. Allah's statement,

قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي

(Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord...") means: I have a clear understanding of the Law of Allah that He has revealed to me,

وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِ

(but you deny it.) meaning, but you disbelieve in the truth that came to me from Allah.

مَا عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ

(I do not have what you are hastily seeking) meaning, the torment,

إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ

(The decision is only for Allah,) for the ruling of this is with Allah. If He wills, He will punish you soon in response to your wish! If He wills, He will give you respite, out of His great wisdom. This is why Allah said,

يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ

(He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.) and the best in reckoning between His servants. Allah's statement,

قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ لَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ

(Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I,") means, if I have what you ask for, I will surely send down what you deserve of it,

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

(but Allah knows best the wrongdoers)

Someone might ask about the meaning of this Ayah compared to the Hadith in the Two Sahihs, from 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said to the Messenger, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Have you encountered a day harder than the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet ﷺ replied,

لَقَدْ لَقِيتُ …

And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, that the way of the criminals, may become manifest (55)Say: "I have been forbidden to worship those whom you invoke (worship) besides Allah." Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, I would go astray, and I would not be one of the rightly guided. (56)Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord, but you deny it. I do not have what you are hastily seeking (the torment). The decision is only for Allah, He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges. (57)Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I, but Allah knows best the wrongdoers. (58)And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is on the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record (59)

The Prophet (ﷺ) Understands What He Conveys; Torment is in Allah's Hands Not the Prophet's

Allah says, just as We mentioned the clear signs that testify and direct to the path of guidance, all the while chastising useless arguments and defiance,

كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ

(And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail,) that is, whatever responsible adults need explained to them, in the affairs of life and religion,

وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

(That the way of the criminals may become manifest.) so that the path of the criminals who defy the Prophets is apparent and clear. This Ayah was also said to mean, so that you, O Muhammad ﷺ, are aware of the path of the criminals. Allah's statement,

قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي

(Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord...") means: I have a clear understanding of the Law of Allah that He has revealed to me,

وَكَذَّبْتُم بِهِ

(but you deny it.) meaning, but you disbelieve in the truth that came to me from Allah.

مَا عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ

(I do not have what you are hastily seeking) meaning, the torment,

إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ

(The decision is only for Allah,) for the ruling of this is with Allah. If He wills, He will punish you soon in response to your wish! If He wills, He will give you respite, out of His great wisdom. This is why Allah said,

يَقُصُّ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْفَاصِلِينَ

(He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.) and the best in reckoning between His servants. Allah's statement,

قُل لَّوْ أَنَّ عِندِي مَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِهِ لَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ

(Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between you and I,") means, if I have what you ask for, I will surely send down what you deserve of it,

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

(but Allah knows best the wrongdoers)

Someone might ask about the meaning of this Ayah compared to the Hadith in the Two Sahihs, from 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said to the Messenger, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Have you encountered a day harder than the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet ﷺ replied,

لَقَدْ لَقِيتُ …

It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then he raises (wakes) you up again, that a term appointed be fulfilled, then (in the end), unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you of what you used to do (60)He is the Qahir over His servants, and He sends guardians over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers take his soul, and they never neglect their duty (61)Then they are returned to Allah, their Master, the Just Lord. Surely, His is the judgment and He is the swiftest in taking account (62)

The Servants are in Allah's Hands Before and After Death

Allah states that He brings death to His servants in their sleep at night, for sleep is minor death. Allah said in other Ayat,

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ

(And (remember) when Allah said: "O 'Isa! I will take you and raise you to Myself...")[3:55], and,

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَىٰ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

(It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed.)[39:42], ,thus mentioning both minor and major death. Allah says,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ

(It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day,) meaning, He knows the deeds and actions that you perform during the day. This Ayah demonstrates Allah's perfect knowledge of His creation, by day and night, and in their movements and idleness. Allah said in other Ayat,

سَوَاءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ الْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌ بِالنَّهَارِ

(It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly, whether he be hid by night or go forth freely by day.)[13:10], and

وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ

(It is out of His mercy that He made night and day, so that you may rest therein)[28:73], by night,

وَلِتَبْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِهِ

(and that you may seek of His bounty) by day. Allah said,

وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا - وَجَعَلْنَا النَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا

(And (We) have made the night as a covering. And (We) have made the day for livelihood.)[78:10-11]. Allah said here,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ

(It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day,)[6:60], Then said,

ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ

(then he raises (wakes) you up again,) by day, according to Mujahid, Qatadah and As-Suddi. Allah's statement,

لِيُقْضَىٰ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى

(that a term appointed be fulfilled) refers to the life span of every person,

ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ

(then (in the end), unto Him will be your return.) on the Day of Resurrection,

ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

(Then He will inform you of what you …