Tafsir of Ta-Ha 20:17

This is the commencement of the narration regarding the tasks concerning the creation with which he (peace be upon him) was charged, following the narration of the matters pertaining to his own self.

"What" (mā) is an interrogative pronoun in the nominative case as an absolute beginning (mubtada’), and "that" (tilka) is its predicate, or vice versa—the latter being more profound in terms of meaning and more congruent with the answer. "In your right hand" (bi-yamīnika) relates to an implied element that serves as a state (ḥāl) for "that" (tilka). That is, "What is that which is established in your right hand, or held in your right hand?" The operator (‘āmil) for this is the sense of indication contained within it, similar to His (Exalted and Almighty is He) saying in narration: "And this, my husband, is an old man." The grammarians call this a "semantic operator."

Ibn ‘Atiyyah said: "That" (tilka) is a relative pronoun, and "in your right hand" (bi-yamīnika) relates to a deleted element that acts as its conjunctive clause (ṣilah), meaning: "And what is that which has settled in your right hand?" This follows the school of the Kufans, who hold that every demonstrative pronoun may serve as a relative pronoun. The school of the Basrans holds that this is not permissible, except for "this" (dhā) under specific conditions.

The interrogation is for the purpose of affirmation/acknowledgment (taqrīrī). The explanation of its intent shall follow shortly, God Almighty willing.