Tafsir of An-Nisa' 4:82

"Do they not then reflect upon the Qur'an?"

Tadabbur (reflection) of a matter is to contemplate it and look into its consequences, and what it leads to in its outcome and end. Then, it was used for every type of contemplation. Thus, the meaning of "reflecting upon the Qur'an" is to contemplate its meanings and gain insight into what is within it.

"Had it been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction."

Had it been from other than Him, much of it would have been contradictory and inconsistent. Its composition, eloquence, and meanings would have varied: some would have reached the limit of inimitability (i'jaz), while some would have fallen short of it, making it possible to emulate. Some would have been reports of the unseen that matched the reality, while others would have been reports that contradicted it. Some would have indicated a sound meaning according to scholars of rhetoric, while others would have indicated a corrupt, incoherent meaning.

Since the entire Qur'an resonates with an inimitable eloquence that surpasses the powers of the most eloquent, and since its meanings are consistently sound and its reports are truthful, it is known that it could only be from One who is capable of what no one else is capable of, and who is All-Knowing of what no one else knows.

If you ask: "Are verses such as:

• 'And suddenly it was a serpent, manifest' (Al-A'raf: 107)
• 'As if it were a snake' (An-Naml: 10)
• 'So by your Lord, We will surely question them all' (Al-Hijr: 92)
• 'Then on that day, neither man nor jinn will be asked about his sin' (Ar-Rahman: 39)

...not considered contradictions?"

I say: They are not contradictions in the view of those who reflect.