Tafsir of Ad-Dukhan 44:32

"And We chose them" — that is, We selected the Children of Israel and honored them "over knowledge" — that is, while knowing they were deserving of that, or with knowledge from Us of what would occur from them in some circumstances. It is also said: [it means] while knowing what would proceed from them of justice, benevolence, knowledge, and faith. This returns to the first interpretation, for justice and its accompanying factors are reasons for merit. It is also said: [it means] because of knowledge [inherent] in them. This is critiqued as being feeble, for using the indefinite form of "knowledge" does not strike its intended mark. It is answered that it is for the sake of glorification, and it is fitting to consider it a cause for the selection.

"Over the worlds" — that is, the worlds of their time, as Mujahid and Qatada have said. Thus, the definite article [in al-'alamin] is for reference to a specific period or for conventional generalization; therefore, it does not necessitate their superiority over the nation of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who are the best nation produced for mankind absolutely. It is permitted that it be for real generalization, and the superiority is in regard to the abundance of prophets, upon them be peace, among them—not in every aspect, so that it would necessitate their superiority over this Muhammadan nation.

It is said that the meaning is: We chose them for revelation in the manner that occurred, and We singled them out for it to the exclusion of the worlds; but this is of no substance. From what We have mentioned, it is known that there is no attachment of two prepositional phrases to a single referent in the verse; for the first is attached to an implied state (hal), and the second is attached to the verb, like the saying: "And on a day on the back of the sand dune, she became difficult for me, and the oath was not to be dissolved." It is also said: Because each preposition conveys a meaning...