Al-Qiyāmah (The Resurrection): (19) Then, indeed, upon Us is its explanation...

There are two issues regarding the preceding verses:

The First Issue: This verse indicates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to read along with Gabriel's recitation and would ask about the difficult meanings and issues during the recitation, due to his intense eagerness for knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was then prohibited from both actions:

1. Reading along with Gabriel's recitation, by the statement: {So when We have recited it, then follow its recitation} (Al-Qiyāmah: 18).
2. Asking questions regarding the detailed explanation, by the statement: {Then, indeed, upon Us is its explanation}.

The Second Issue: Those who permit the postponement of clarification (bayān) beyond the time of the initial address used this verse as evidence. Abū al-Ḥusayn responded to them in two ways:

1. The apparent meaning of the verse necessitates the obligation of postponing clarification beyond the time of the address, which is a position you [the opposing school] do not hold.
2. For us, what is obligatory is that clarification be immediately coupled with the utterance to indicate that the literal meaning of the utterance is not what is intended. However, the detailed clarification may be postponed. Therefore, the verse should be interpreted as referring to the postponement of the detailed clarification.

Al-Qaffāl mentioned a third way: that the statement {Then, indeed, upon Us is its explanation} means: "Then We inform you that its explanation is upon Us." This is similar to the Almighty's saying: {Then the freeing of a slave} up to {Then he became one of those who believe} (Al-Balad: 13-17).

The response to the first point is: The wording does not necessitate the obligation of postponing clarification; rather, it necessitates the postponement of the obligation of clarification. This is also our position, because the obligation for clarification is not realized except when there is a need. The response to the second point is: The particle thumma (then) applies to the general clarification, encompassing both the concise (mujmal) and the detailed (mufaṣṣal) clarification. As for Al-Qaffāl's argument, it is also weak because it abandons the apparent meaning without evidence.

The Third Issue: The Almighty's statement {Then, indeed, upon Us is its explanation} indicates that the clarification of the concise [meaning] is obligatory upon God, the Exalted. For us [the Ash'arites], it is through promise and favor (wa'd wa tafaddul). For the Mu'tazilites, it is due to wisdom (ḥikmah).

7 < { Nay, but you love the hasty life * And leave behind the Hereafter. } > 7 !