Surah At-Tur (52): 32

Am ta'muruhum aḥlāmuhum... (Or do their dreams command them [to say this]?)

If the intended meaning is what we mentioned (i.e., they have no basis in revelation or intellect), why is the part that initiates their statement omitted?

Answer: Because the claim they make being attributed to transmission is known to be non-existent. As for it being rational, they claimed it was rational. As for them being transgressors, that is true. Therefore, Allah Almighty specifically mentioned the two aspects where disagreement occurred: what they said, and Allah’s response to it. They claimed, "We follow reason," and Allah Almighty said, "They are transgressors." Thus, He mentioned the two points of contention.

The statement {Do their dreams command them} alludes to the fact that whatever is not in accordance with reason should not be uttered. Only what reason rationally necessitates should be said. Does this imply that everything rationally obligatory is commanded?

What are Al-Aḥlām? We say it is the plural of ḥilm, which means intellect (ʿaql). They are from the same root in terms of meaning. Intellect restrains a person, like a tethered camel that cannot move from its place. Ḥilm also comes from ḥilm (restraint/forbearance), which is also the cause of a person's dignity and steadfastness. Similarly, the intellects are called an-Nuhā (the restraints) from an-nahy (prevention).

There is a subtle point here: In its original linguistic sense, al-ḥilmu refers to what a sleeper sees (a dream), which necessitates ritual purification (Ghusl). This is the cause of reaching puberty, at which point a person becomes accountable. It is as if Allah, out of His subtle wisdom, linked desire (shahwah) with intellect (ʿaql). When desire manifests, the intellect is perfected. Thus, He alluded to the intellect by referring to what accompanies it—the ḥilm (dream/maturity)—to indicate that it is a sign of the perfection of the intellect, not the intellect by which a person avoids error and entering the Fire. Based on this, there is an emphasis on what we mentioned: a person should not say everything that is rationally conceivable, but only what the sound, mature intellect commands, which validates accountability.

What is this referring to? There are several interpretations:

1. First: That this is a significant allusion, meaning: [Do their dreams command them to say] this that appears from them in speech and action, such as worshipping idols and uttering nonsensical talk.
2. Second: This refers to their statement: "He is a soothsayer, he is a poet, he is mad."
3. Third: This refers to their waiting/watching (at-tarabbuṣ). When they said, "Let us wait," Allah Almighty responded: Do their intellects command them to wait for their own destruction? For no one has ever anticipated the destruction of his Prophet except that he himself was destroyed.

Can Am in this position mean Bal? Yes. The implication would be: They say he is a poet as speech, nay, they believe it rationally, and it enters their intellects. Meaning, it is not just something they say without reason; rather, they believe he is a soothsayer and mad. This is supported by the reading of those who recited it as {Bal hum qawmun ṭāghūn} (Nay, they are a transgressing people). However, Bal here is explicit, whereas in {Bal ta'muruhum aḥlāmuhum} (Nay, do their dreams command them), it is subtle.

Or do they say, "He has fabricated it"? Nay, they do not believe.