50. And We bestowed upon them of Our mercy.

Al-Hasan said: "It is prophethood." Perhaps the mention of this after mentioning that they were made prophets is to signify that prophethood is of the category of mercy, which He bestows upon whom He wills. Al-Kalbi said: "It is wealth and children." It has been said: "It is the Book." The most apparent [interpretation] is that it is general for every religious and worldly good that they were given, which no one else among the worlds had been given.

And We granted them a lofty tongue of truth.

People boast of them and praise them, in response to his prayer, peace be upon him, when he said: "And grant me a tongue of truth among the later generations." It is an addition to that. The intent behind "tongue" is the speech that exists through it; it is a metaphor based on the relationship of causality, like [the use of] "hand" for a gift. "The tongue of the Arabs" is their language. It is also used for a message or report, as in the saying of the poet of Bahilah: "A message (tongue) came to me that did not bring me joy." From this is the saying of another: "I regretted a speech (tongue) that came from me." Its attribution to "truth" and its description as "lofty" serve to indicate that they are deserving of the praise directed toward them, and that their praiseworthy qualities are not hidden—as if they were a beacon on a mountain, spanning distant eras, changing dynasties, and shifting religions and sects. Some have restricted the "tongue of truth" to what is recited in the tashahhud: "As You bestowed blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim." However, the general meaning is more appropriate.