Surah An-Naba: (29) And We have enumerated all things. . . . . .

Issues Discussed:

Al-Zajjaj said: {كل} (All) is in the accusative case due to an implied verb which is explained by {أحصيناه} (We have enumerated it). The meaning is: And We enumerated all things. Abu as-Sammal recited it with the nominative case (raising) as a subject (of an implied sentence).

The statement {وكل شىء أحصيناه} (And We have enumerated all things) means that Allah knows everything exactly as it is, with a knowledge that does not cease or change. This is similar to His statement: {أحصاه الله ونسوه} (Allah has counted it, but they have forgotten it) (Al-Mujadila: 6).

Know that this verse proves that Allah (Exalted is He) possesses knowledge of particular, individual things (al-juz'iyyat).

Furthermore, a verse like this does not accept allegorical interpretation (ta'wil). This is because Allah mentioned this to affirm what He claimed previously: {جزاء وفاقا} (a recompense justly due) (An-Naba: 26). It is as if Allah is saying: I know everything they did, and I know the aspects of those actions, their states, and the considerations by which reward and punishment are deserved. Therefore, it is inevitable that We will not bring upon them of punishment except an amount that corresponds to their deeds. This correspondence can only be established if it is proven that Allah possesses knowledge of particulars. If this is established, it becomes clear that whoever denies it is certainly a disbeliever.

Regarding His statement: {أحصيناه كتابا} (We have enumerated it as a writing), there are two interpretations:

1. Interpretation 1: The implied meaning is: We enumerated it an enumeration (iḥṣā'an). He deviated from using the verbal noun directly to using {كتابا} (as a writing) because writing represents the ultimate degree of certainty and permanence in knowledge. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Restrain knowledge by writing." Thus, it is as if Allah is saying: We enumerated all things with an enumeration equal in strength, permanence, and confirmation to that which is written. The purpose of {كتابا} is to emphasize that enumeration and knowledge. However, this emphasis is presented in a manner suitable for the understanding of the common people (ahl al-ẓāhir), because what is written is susceptible to erasure, whereas Allah's knowledge of things is necessary by its very nature and is not susceptible to erasure.

2. Interpretation 2: The word {كتابا} is a ḥāl (circumstantial adverb) meaning "written." The meaning is: We enumerated all things while they were written in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ), similar to His statement: {وكل شىء أحصيناه فى إمام مبين} (And We have enumerated everything in a clear record), or written in the scrolls of the recording angels.