Yunus: (59-60) Say: "Have you considered what...

There are several issues concerning this verse:

Issue 1: Connection to the Preceding Verses

People have proposed various ways to connect this verse to what came before it, but I do not find any of them satisfactory. The view that occurs to me, and Allah knows best, involves two possibilities:

First View: The purpose of this discourse is to present a third method for proving prophethood. The reasoning is as follows: The Prophet (PBUH) said to them, "You rule certain things as lawful and others as unlawful. You either claim this ruling by fabricating things against Allah, or you know that Allah has decreed it." The first option (fabrication) is agreed upon as false. Therefore, only the second option remains. It is known that Allah did not address you directly regarding these rulings. Since direct address is ruled out, it is established that these rulings reached you through a messenger sent by Allah and a prophet appointed by Him. In summary, your ruling things lawful and unlawful, despite all things sharing the same perceptible qualities and perceptible benefits, indicates your admission of the validity of prophethood and messengership. If this is the case, how can you go to such great lengths in denying prophethood and messengership? This interpretation is a sound and rational way to understand the verse.

Second View: The connection lies in the fact that after the Prophet (PBUH) presented numerous proofs for the truthfulness of his prophethood and refuted their doubts and objections against it, he followed this up by demonstrating the corruption of their own methods in their religious laws and rulings. He showed that distinguishing between things as lawful or unlawful, without any basis in reason or transmitted reports, is a false path and a corrupt methodology. The objective is to invalidate the doctrines and rulings of the people, showing they are baseless in every aspect.

Issue 2: Interpretation of "What They Have Forbidden"

The "thing they have made unlawful" refers to what they mentioned concerning the prohibition of the Bahirah, the Sa'ibah, the Wasilah, and the Ham (specific types of livestock dedicated to idols). It also refers to Allah's statement: {And they say, "What is in the wombs of these livestock is exclusively for our males and forbidden to our females} (Al-An'am: 139), and {He made eight pairs from the sheep two, and from the goats two} (Al-An'am: 143).

The evidence for this is that the phrase {So you have made unlawful} points to a prior action of theirs. Allah has not recounted any other such action from them, so this statement must refer to that. Then, after recounting this action, Allah commanded His Messenger (PBUH): {Say, "Has Allah permitted this, or are you inventing a lie against Allah?"} This dichotomy is sound, because these rulings must either originate from Allah or not. If they are from Allah, that is what {Has Allah permitted this} means. If they are not from Allah, then {Or are you inventing a lie against Allah} applies.

Then Allah says: {Indeed, those who invent lies against Allah will not succeed}. Although this is phrased as an inquiry, it means to magnify the threat for those who fabricate against Allah. 'Isa ibn 'Umar recited it as {And what did those who invent lies against Allah think?} (using the past tense verb), meaning, what did they think their fate would be on the Day of Resurrection? It is phrased in the past tense because, although the events of the Resurrection are yet to come, they are certain to occur according to wisdom, so Allah refers to them using the past tense form, as we have previously explained.

Then Allah says: {Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people}, meaning by granting intellect, sending messengers, and revealing books, {but most of them do not show gratitude}. They do not use their intellect to contemplate Allah's signs, nor do they accept the call of Allah's prophets, nor do they benefit from listening to Allah's books.

Issue 3: The Meaning of "What Allah Has Revealed"

There are two interpretations for what is in the phrase {Say: "Have you considered what Allah has sent down"}:

1. It means "that which" (relative pronoun), in which case it is in the accusative case because of ra'aytum (Have you considered).
2. It means "what" (interrogative pronoun), in which case it is in the accusative case because of anzala (sent down). This is the view of Al-Zajjaj. The meaning of anzala (sent down) here is "created and brought forth," similar to His saying: {And He sent down for you from the livestock eight pairs} (Az-Zumar: 6). It is permissible to use the term inzaal (sending down) for creation because every provision on earth—from milk and crops, etc.—is sent down from the sky. Since its existence is due to descent (from the heavens), it is termed inzaal.

{And you are not engaged in any affair, nor do you recite any portion of the Qur'an, nor do you perform any deed, except that We are witnesses over you when you are engrossed therein. And there does not escape from your Lord the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heaven or anything smaller than that or larger, except that it is in a clear Register.}