| Qaf: (23) And his companion says, "This is what I have ready..."

There are two interpretations regarding the meaning of "his companion" (qareenuhu):

1. The Devil: This refers to the devil who adorned disbelief and disobedience for him. This is supported by verses such as:
   • "And We appointed for them companions [who made fair to them what was before them and what was behind them]" (Fussilat: 25).
   • "And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is his inseparable companion" (Al-Zukhruf: 36).
   • "So wretched is the companion!" (Al-Zukhruf: 38). In this context, the statement points to the one committing wickedness and transgression. "Ready" (ateed) means prepared for the Fire. The overall meaning of the verse is that the devil says concerning this disobedient person: "This one is something I have prepared for Hell; I have prepared him through seduction and misguidance."

2. The Witnessing Angel: This refers to the recording angel (qadeed) mentioned previously. This points to his Book of Deeds. This interpretation is favored because, at that time, the devil would not hold such status as to make such a declaration. Furthermore, the phrase "This is what I have ready" (haadha ma ladayya 'ateed) implies that 'ateed is an adjective describing the thing.

If we analyze the structure of "This is what I have ready" (haadha ma ladayya 'ateed), there are three possibilities for the predicate structure:

• First: 'Ateed is a second predicate (khabar ba'da khabar). The first predicate is "what I have" (ma ladayya), meaning: "This thing that is with me is ready."
• Second: 'Ateed is the sole predicate. "What I have" (ma ladayya) functions as a distinguishing description for 'ateed, differentiating it from others, similar to saying, "This one who is with Zayd" or "This one who comes to me is Amr," where the phrases specify the person being referred to.
• Then, the one referred to is informed by what follows. Then the command is given to the driver (sa'iq) or the witness (shaheed): "Cast into Hell" (alqiya fi jahannam). This command is directed to one person, and there are two possibilities for this singular address:
  • It is a repetition of the command, like saying alqa alqa (cast, cast).
  • It is a common practice among the Arabs to use the singular form in such address.

And His saying: "Every stubborn disbeliever" (kullu kaffarin 'aneed):

• Al-kaffar might be derived from kufraan (ingratitude), meaning one who is excessively ungrateful.
• Or it might be derived from kufr (disbelief), meaning one who is intensely disbelieving. The intensification in the fa''aal pattern (kaffaar) indicates intensity in the meaning.
• 'Aneed is derived from 'aneed (stubbornness/defiance), meaning one who is actively defiant (fa'il). If kaffaar is derived from ingratitude, it means he denies God's blessings despite their abundance.

! 7 < { A preventer of good, an aggressor, a doubter } . > 7 !

<