And We certainly gave Moses the Book, meaning the Torah.
"And it was differed over," meaning regarding the affair of the Book and whether it was from Allah the Exalted. So a group believed in it, and others disbelieved in it. Therefore, do not be concerned by the disagreement of your people regarding the Quran that We have given you, their saying, "Why was a treasure not sent down to him, or an angel come with him?" and their claim that you have fabricated it.
It is permissible that the pronoun refers to Moses, although this is contrary to the apparent meaning, even if the disagreement regarding him (peace be upon him)—whether he is a prophet or not—necessarily implies disagreement regarding his Book, whether it is from Allah the Exalted or not. It has been said that "in" (fi) according to this possibility means "against" ('ala), meaning his people differed against him and were obstinate, just as your people have done with you.
"And had it not been for a word that preceded from your Lord," which is the word of decree to delay the punishment until the known term, in accordance with the wisdom that calls for it, "it would have been judged between them," meaning judgment would have been executed between the differing parties of your people by sending down the punishment that the followers of falsehood deserve, so that they would be distinguished by it from the followers of truth. In al-Bahr, it is stated that the apparent meaning is the return of the pronoun to the people of Moses; it was said, "And that is not sound."
Ibn Atiyyah said, "Its return to both groups is better in my view," but this was criticized on the grounds that His saying, "And indeed, each of them..." is clear in its generalization after the specification, and there is a consideration in that. In my view, the first [interpretation] is more appropriate.
"And indeed they," meaning the disbelievers among your people—the pronoun is intended for some of those to whom the pronoun in "between them" returned, to avoid ambiguity—"are in doubt," a great one, "concerning it," meaning concerning the Quran, even if it was not explicitly mentioned. For the mention of giving the Book to Moses and the occurrence of disagreement over it, especially in the context of consolation, calls out for this in a manner that is not hidden.
It has been said that the pronoun refers to the threat understood from the speech. "Mureeb" means that which casts one into suspicion. It is also permissible that it is derived from "araba," meaning one who has become full of suspicion.
