Tafsir of Al-Qalam 68:28

Surah Al-Qalam (The Pen): Verse 28

{قال أوسطهم} (The most moderate/just among them said)

This refers to the most just and best among them. We have explained the reasoning behind this interpretation in the exegesis of the verse: {And thus We have made you a community justly balanced} (Al-Baqarah: 143).

{ألم أقل لكم لولا تسبحون} (Did I not tell you, "Why do you not glorify [Allah]?")

This means, "Why did you not say, 'If Allah wills' (In sha' Allah)?"

There are several interpretations for this:

1. The Majority View: It means, "Why did you not make an exception (Istithna') by saying, 'If Allah wills'?" This is because Allah criticized them for abandoning the practice of Istithna'. The saying, "If Allah wills," is termed Tasbīh (glorification) because Tasbīh means declaring Allah free from any defect. If something were to come into existence contrary to Allah's will, it would imply a deficiency in Allah's power. Therefore, saying, "If Allah wills," removes this potential deficiency, thus constituting a form of glorification.

The wording of the Qur'an indicates that the people used to swear oaths while omitting the exception. Their moderate/just member warned them against abandoning the exception and feared the punishment of Allah for this. This is why, after the calamity struck, this moderate one recounted his previous words: {Did I not tell you, "Why do you not glorify [Allah]?"}

2. Second Interpretation: When the people resolved to withhold Zakāt (charity) and became arrogant due to their wealth and strength, the most moderate among them told them: "Repent from this sin before the punishment descends." When they saw the punishment arrive, he reminded them of that initial statement, saying: {Why do you not glorify [Allah]?} Consequently, the people immediately engaged in repentance, and:

{قالوا سبحان ربنا إنا كنا ظالمين} (They said, "Glory be to our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers.")