Tafsir of An-Naml 27:47

They said, "We consider you an omen of evil."

Its origin is tatayyarna (we sought an omen), and it is also recited as such. The ta was assimilated into the ta, and an alif of connection (wasla) was added to allow for the initiation of speech. Al-tayyur (seeking an omen) is ill-omened; it was expressed this way because when they would set out on a journey, they would pass by a bird and make it perform a duty. If it passed sanihan—meaning from the right of the person to their left—they considered it a good omen. If it passed barihan—from the left to the right—they considered it an evil omen, because it was not possible for the one passing by it to strike it without turning away. Since they attributed good and evil to the bird, the term was metaphorically applied to whatever is the cause of them, whether it be from the decree of Allah Almighty and His predestination, or from the deeds of the servant which are the cause of mercy and blessing.

That is, "We consider you an omen of evil, and those who are with you in your religion," because hardships have followed one another upon us; for they were afflicted with drought, and "we have not ceased to be in disagreement and division since you invented your religion." Their considering him an omen likely refers to the group collectively, or to each of those conjoined individually.

"He said, 'Your omen is with Allah.'"

That is, your cause, from which you receive what you receive of evil, is with Allah. This refers to His decree, or to your deeds recorded with Him, the Almighty and Exalted.

"Rather, you are a people being tested."

This is a disjunction (idrab) from explaining their omen, which is the origin of what befalls them, to mentioning what is the true cause of it. That is, "Rather, you are a people being tested" by the succession of prosperity and adversity, or you are being punished, or Satan is leading you into temptation by whispering to you this superstition.

The verb tuftanun (you are being tested) is conjugated with the ta (the second person) in accordance with the pronoun antum (you), which is frequent in the language of the Arabs. It is also permissible in such a construction to use yuftanun (they are being tested) with the ya (the third person), in accordance with the noun qawm (a people), though this is less frequent in their language.