Tafsir of Al-An'am 6:105

{And so they say}: The response to this is omitted. Its implied meaning is: "And so they say, 'You have studied [darasta].'"

The meaning of {darasta}:

• You have read and learned.
• {Darasta} (recited/studied with): Meaning you studied with the scholars.
• {Darasta} (worn out/obliterated): Meaning these verses have become old and effaced, as they said: "Legends of the ancients."
• {Durusat} (with a damma on the ra'): An intensive form of darasta, meaning its effacement has become severe.
• {Durisat} (passive voice): Meaning "it was read" or "it was effaced."
• {Darasta}: Interpreted as the Jews having studied with Muhammad (peace be upon him). The omission of the object is permissible because the notoriety of "studying" was attributed to the Jews by them.
• Alternative interpretation: The verb refers to the verses, and the subject is their people—meaning the people of the verses and their bearers (the People of the Book) studied with Muhammad.
• {Darasa}: Meaning Muhammad studied.
• {Darisat}: As in "they are darisat," meaning ancient, or "possessing effacement," like the phrase ‘ishah radiyah (a pleasing life).

If you ask: What is the difference between the two lams in {li-yaqulu} (so they may say) and {wa-li-nubayyinahu} (and so that We may make it clear)? I say: The difference is that the first is metaphorical and the second is literal. The verses were varied for the purpose of clarification, not for the purpose of them saying "you have studied." However, because this statement occurred alongside the variation of the verses—just as the clarification occurred—it was likened to it and placed in the same sequence. It is also said: "So they may say" is like "so that We may make it clear."

If you ask: To what does the pronoun in {wa-li-nubayyinahu} (and so that We may make it clear) refer? I say: To the "verses," because they carry the meaning of the Qur'an, as if it were said: "And thus We vary the Qur'an." Or, it refers to the Qur'an even though it was not explicitly mentioned, because it is understood. Or, it refers to the "clarification" which is the verbal noun of the verb, similar to their saying: "I struck him, Zayd." It is also possible, for those who read darasta and darasta, that it refers to the "Book" which is implied.

{Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord; there is no god except Him; and turn away from the polytheists. And if Allah had willed, they would not have associated others with Him. And We have not made you a guardian over them, nor are you a manager of their affairs.}