Tafsir of Al-Muddathir 74:19

This is an expression of astonishment at his calculation and his success in hitting upon the target that the Quraysh were aiming for. It is similar to the expression, "May Allah destroy them! How they are deluded!" Or, it may be praise intended as sarcasm, similar to saying, "May Allah slay him, how brave he is!" Or, it is a report of what he [the Prophet] repeated as a form of supplication [against him] upon hearing his foolish statement, for the Arabs say: "May Allah slay him, how brave he is!" and "May Allah disgrace him, how poetic he is!" by which they mean that he has reached a level worthy of being envied, and the one who envies him prays in this manner. The return [of the meaning], as is said, is to the first interpretation, even if the aspects differ.

It is narrated that al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah came to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and he [the Prophet] recited the Quran to him, and he was softened by it. This reached Abu Jahl, who said, "O Uncle, your people want to collect wealth for you to give to you, for you have only come to Muhammad to obtain what he has." He [al-Walid] replied, "Quraysh knows that I am among those with the most wealth." He [Abu Jahl] said, "Then speak about him in a way that conveys to your people that you deny him and hate him." He asked, "And what should I say? By Allah, there is no man among you who knows more about poetry than I, neither rajaz, nor odes, nor the poetry of the Jinn. By Allah, that which he says does not resemble any of this. By Allah, his speech has sweetness and splendor. It is fruitful at its top and abundant at its bottom; it rises and nothing rises above it; it shatters whatever is beneath it." He [Abu Jahl] said, "Your people will not be pleased with you until you speak against him." He said, "Let me think." After he had thought, he said, "It is nothing but sorcery that is handed down," and they were amazed by that.

Muhyi al-Sunnah said: When Ha Mim. The revelation of the Book from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing... up to the words of the Exalted, ...and to Him is the destination was revealed to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the Prophet stood in the mosque, and al-Walid was near him, listening to his recitation. When the Prophet—upon him be prayer and peace—realized he was listening, he repeated the recitation. Al-Walid went to the gathering of his people, the Banu Makhzum, and said, "By Allah, I have just heard speech from Muhammad that is neither the speech of humans nor the speech of Jinn. It has sweetness and splendor; it is fruitful at its top, abundant at its bottom; it rises and nothing rises above it." The Quraysh said, "By Allah, al-Walid has apostatized, and if he has apostatized, all of Quraysh will apostatize."

Abu Jahl said, "I will take care of him for you." He sat with him looking saddened and spoke to him in a way that provoked him, so he [al-Walid] stood up and went to them and said, "You claim Muhammad is mad, but have you ever seen him having a seizure? You say he is a soothsayer, but have you ever seen him engage in divination? You claim he is a poet, but have you ever seen him recite poetry? You claim he is a liar, but have you ever experienced any falsehood from him?" They said, "By Allah, no." He asked, "Then what is he?" He thought and said, "He is nothing but a sorcerer. Have you not seen him separate a man from his wife, his children, and his kin? What he says is nothing but sorcery that he transmits from Musaylimah and the people of Babylon." The assembly erupted in joy and dispersed, marveling at him.