Tafsir of An-Naba' 78:2

This phrase serves as an exposition of the status of that which is being questioned, following its magnification by rendering its matter ambiguous, directing the minds of the listeners toward it, and placing them in the position of those who are inquiring. For its presentation in the form of an interrogative from the Knower of the Unseen is to draw attention to the fact that, due to the detachment of its parallel and the absence of its equal, it lies outside the realm of created knowledge, and is thus worthy of being sought after and inquired about. It is as if it were said: "Concerning what do they question? Shall I inform you of it?" Then it is said, by way of answering, "Concerning the Great News..."

‘An (concerning) is connected to an implied verb indicated by the aforementioned, which is its right, according to those who say it should be estimated thereafter, hastening toward the explanation and observing the order of the question. Al-Zajjaj held the view that it is connected to what was mentioned, and this is what the composition of the Revelation requires. Makki said that it is a substitution for the interrogative Ma (what), by repeating the preposition. This was critiqued in al-Kashf by stating that it is not valid, for the meaning of the first is: "Concerning the Great News or something else?" and the substitute does not correspond to it unless the interrogation is repeated first. Al-Khafaji said that substitution is permissible, and the repetition of the interrogation is not necessary because it is not a genuine interrogation, nor is it necessary for the substitute to be identical to the first, as it may be a partial substitution.

It has been said that it is connected to the aforementioned yatasā’alūn (they question), and ‘amma (concerning what) is connected to an implied verb that explains it. This is supported by the recitation of al-Dahhak, Ya’qub, and Ibn Kathir—in one narration—as ‘ammah, with the ha of silence (sakt). The justification for this is that it is upon the pause, and it indicates that it is not connected to the aforementioned, for it is not appropriate to pause between a preposition and its governed noun, nor for its connector to be absent when the speech is incomplete. Perhaps those who hold the first view say that the attachment of the ha is based on treating the connection like a pause.

It has also been said that the first ‘an is for causation (ta'līl), and it and the second are both connected to the aforementioned yatasā’alūn, as if it were said: "Why do they question concerning the Great News?" Ibn ‘Atiyyah reported this from the majority of grammarians. Others have said that ‘an al-naba’ is connected to a deleted element, and there is an implied interrogation, as if it were said: "Concerning what? Do they question concerning the Great News?"

The Naba’—which is news that possesses significance—is described as "Great" to emphasize its gravity.