{ هل في ذلك }

This is a verification and confirmation of the majesty of the mentioned things by which the oath is sworn, and their worthiness to be exalted by swearing by them. This consequently points to the exaltation of that upon which the oath is sworn, and its confirmation through the means of completeness.

"That" (ذلِكَ) is a reference to that by which the oath is sworn, and the sense of remoteness it contains serves to increase its exaltation. The meaning is: Is there, in what has been mentioned of things, an oath—that is, an object by which an oath is sworn—for a dhi hijr (one of intellect)? That is, does he consider it appropriate, out of reverence and glorification, to swear by them?

The intent is to verify that all of them are indeed as such. This style was preferred to denote humility toward the Truth (God) and to signal the manifest nature of the matter. This is akin to a speaker saying, after presenting an argument with clear indication toward his claim: "Has this not proven what we have said?"

It is also possible that the verification is that those of intellect confirm such a matter through an oath, which would also point to its exaltation and confirmation. In this case, "that" refers to the source, meaning the act of swearing. Is my swearing by those things an oath for a dhi hijr—an oath accepted by him, counted by him, one that he would perform himself, and by which he would confirm the object of the oath?

The essence of both interpretations regarding what pertains to the confirmation of the object of the oath is the same, though the perspective differs, as is not hidden. Perhaps the first is more apparent.

Al-Hijr is the intellect (al-‘aql), because it restrains (yahjur) its possessor—that is, prevents him from falling into what is improper. Just as it is named ‘aql (intellect) and nuhyah (prohibitor) because it binds (ya‘qilu) and forbids (yanha), and hasah (common sense) from ihsa’ (which is control/ضبط). Al-Farra’ said: It is said of a man that he is dhu hijr if he is a conqueror of his self, controlling it.

The object of the oath is omitted; it is "You shall surely be punished," as indicated by His statement, Exalted is His affair.