Tafsir of Al-Hijr 15:8

"We do not send down the angels except with the truth..."

Reading Variations: It is read as tanazzalu (they descend), meaning tatanazzalu (they descend gradually). It is also read as tunazzalu (they are sent down), in the passive voice derived from anzala.

Interpretation:

• "We do not send down the angels except with the truth": This means they are not sent down except in a manner accompanied by wisdom and benefit. There is no wisdom in them coming to you openly so that you may witness them and they may testify to the truthfulness of the Prophet (ﷺ), because at that point, your belief would be forced and compelled. Similar to this is His saying: "And We did not create the heavens and the earth and that which is between them except with the truth" (Al-Hijr: 85).
• Alternative views: It is said that "the truth" refers to revelation or punishment.
• "And then they would not be reprieved": This is a response and a consequence, as it serves as a reply to them and a consequence of an implied condition. The estimation is: "If We had sent down the angels, they would not have been granted respite, and their punishment would not have been delayed."

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Dhikr (the Qur'an) and indeed, We will be its guardian."