Tafsir of Al-A'raf 7:52

Al-A'raf (The Heights): Verse 52

[52] And We have certainly brought them a Book, which We have detailed with knowledge, [as] guidance and mercy for a people who believe.

Exegesis:

The Almighty, after describing the states of the People of Paradise, the People of the Fire, and the People of the Heights (Al-A'raf), then explained the discourse occurring between these three groups. This explanation serves to caution the accountable person and prompt them toward reflection and deduction.

Following this, He clarified the nobility of this noble Book (the Qur'an) and the ultimate extent of its benefit, saying: {And We have certainly brought them a Book}—meaning the Qur'an—{which We have detailed} (Fassalnahu). This means We distinguished some parts from others with a distinction that guides to righteousness and secures against error and confusion.

As for His statement {with knowledge} ('ala 'ilmin), it means that this detailing and distinguishing occurred with complete knowledge of the abundant benefits and increasing advantages contained within each section of those sections.

Regarding His statement {guidance and mercy} (hudan wa rahmatan), Al-Zajjaj said that hudan (guidance) is in the accusative case, meaning: We detailed it as a guide and as a mercy.

His statement {for a people who believe} (li-qawmin yu'minun) indicates that the Qur'an was made guidance specifically for certain people. This means they are the ones who were guided by it, and no others. This is similar to His statement at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah: {Guidance for the righteous} (Al-Baqarah: 2).

Our scholars (Ashabuna) used His statement {We have detailed it with knowledge} as evidence that Allah possesses knowledge, contrary to what the Mu'tazila claim, which is that Allah does not possess knowledge. And Allah knows best.

[53] Do they await aught but its interpretation? The Day its interpretation comes, those who had forgotten it before will say, "Indeed, the messengers of our Lord had brought the truth. So are there [now] any intercessors for us that they might intercede for us? Or could we be sent back and do other than what we used to do?" They have certainly lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent.