Al-Hajj: (8) And among the people is he who...

"And among the people is he who disputes concerning Allah without knowledge." According to what has been narrated from Muhammad ibn Ka'b, this was revealed regarding Al-Akhnas ibn Shariq; and according to what has been narrated from Ibn Abbas, regarding Abu Jahl; and according to the view held by a group, regarding An-Nadr, just like the previous verse. If the disputant in both verses is the same, then the repetition serves to exaggerate the condemnation, or it is because each of the two verses contains an addition not present in the other.

Ibn Atiyyah said: The verse was repeated for the purpose of rebuke. It is as if it were said: "These parables are in the utmost clarity and manifestation, yet among the people—despite this—is he who disputes..." to the end. In this case, the waw (and) here is for the state (hal), whereas in the previous verse it was a waw of conjunction ('atf), connecting the sentence of the speech to what preceded it in the sense of providing information, not for rebuke. This is [as you can see].

In Al-Kashf, it states that what is more apparent in the composition and more consistent with the context is that this verse refers to those who are imitated (al-muqalladin—those followed), while the previous one refers to those who imitate (al-muqallidin—the followers). Thus, the waw is for conjunction with the first verse.

The meaning of "knowledge" is necessary knowledge (al-'ilm al-daruri), just as the meaning of "guidance" in His saying, "nor guidance," is correct reasoning and reflection that leads to knowledge, "nor an enlightening Book"—that is, a revelation that manifests the truth. This means he disputes concerning His matter—exalted is His status—without holding onto a necessary premise, nor a proof, nor an authoritative textual evidence.