Tafsir of Ar-Rahman 55:4

Then, the Almighty and Exalted followed that with the blessing of teaching "eloquence" (al-bayan), for He, the Glorified, said: "He taught him eloquence."

This is because eloquence is that by which one is normally enabled to learn the Quran. It is intended here as articulate, expressive speech that clarifies what is in the conscience.

The meaning of "teaching him" is similar to what has passed before. In al-Irshad, it is stated that His saying, "He created man," specifies the one taught, and His saying, "He taught him eloquence," clarifies the manner of that teaching. The meaning of teaching eloquence is enabling man to express himself and to understand the expression of others, as it is upon this that the teaching of the Quran revolves.

It has been said—based on the estimation of the omitted object [in the previous verse] as being the favored angels—that the teaching of the Quran was mentioned first because it preceded [the creation of man] in occurrence; for they had learned it before the creation of man. Perhaps this is alluded to by His saying: "Indeed, it is a noble Quran, in a preserved book; none touch it except the purified." In this majestic arrangement, there is an added excellence, as the Almighty mentioned heavenly matters and earthly matters, and for every heavenly matter, He paired a corresponding earthly one. This also holds true if the object is estimated as Gabriel, peace be upon him.

Al-Dahhak said: "Eloquence" means good and evil. Ibn Jurayj said: It means the path of guidance and the path of misguidance. Yaman said: It means writing. All of these are, as you see, interpretive.

It is permitted that it refers to the Quran, for God Almighty has called it bayan (an explanation) in His saying: "This is a bayan (an explanation)." It was repeated so that the speech would be a detailing of the summary "He taught the Quran," though this is highly implausible.

Qatadah said: "Man" is Adam, and "eloquence" is the knowledge of this world and the Hereafter. It was said: "Eloquence" is the names of all things. It was also said: It is speaking in many languages. Others said: It is the Greatest Name by which everything is taught, and this is attributed to Ja'far al-Sadiq, may God be pleased with him.

Ibn Kaysan said: "Man" is Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Based on this, it is said that the intent of "eloquence" is the explanation of what has been revealed and the uncovering of its intended meaning, as the Almighty said: "And We revealed to you the message so that you may make clear to the people what was revealed to them," or the speech through which the concise and ambiguous parts of the Quran are explained, or the Quran itself—as you heard earlier—or something similar that befits him, peace and blessings be upon him, and is suitable for the previous meanings. Perhaps Ibn Kaysan estimates the object of "taught man" to be the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as well.

These are the statements before you. The apparent meaning of the noble verses is not hidden from you, and I do not think you are in any doubt regarding the obviousness of what we first mentioned concerning them. Furthermore, each of the last two sentences is a predicate for the subject, just like the sentence "He taught the Quran," and likewise is His saying...