Tafsir of An-Nahl 16:102

"Say, the Holy Spirit has brought it down..."

Regarding the words "He sends down" and "He brought it down," and the gradual revelation contained therein according to events and interests: This is an indication that abrogation (naskh) is a matter of interest, just as revelation is. Leaving the original state is equivalent to removing it all at once, as that would deviate from wisdom.

"The Holy Spirit" is Gabriel, peace be upon him. He is attributed to "holiness" (al-quds), which is purity, just as one says: "Ḥātim of Generosity" and "Zayd of Goodness." The intended meaning is the "Holy Spirit" (al-rūḥ al-muqaddas), "Ḥātim the Generous," and "Zayd the Good." The "Holy" (al-muqaddas) is the one purified from sins. It has been recited with both a ḍamma and a sukūn on the dāl.

"In truth" is in the position of a state (ḥāl), meaning: He brought it down while it was accompanied by wisdom. This implies that abrogation is part of the truth.

"To strengthen those who believe" means to test them through abrogation. When they say regarding it, "It is the truth from our Lord and it is wisdom," He judges them to have firm footing, sound certainty, and tranquility of heart, based on the fact that Allah is Wise and does not do anything except that which is wisdom and correctness.

"And as guidance and good tidings" are objects for the sake of which the action is done, conjoined to the position of "to strengthen." The estimation is: "for their strengthening, for their guidance, and for their good tidings." In this, there is an insinuation that the opposites of these qualities occur to others. It has also been recited as li-yuthbita (to make firm) with a light thā’.

"And We certainly know that they say, 'It is only a human being who teaches him.' The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign, while this is a clear Arabic tongue."