Tafsir of Al-Haqqah 69:38-43

"So I swear by what you see, and what you do not see."

This is an oath by all things, signifying comprehensiveness and encompassing. For nothing exists outside of two categories: that which is visible and that which is invisible. It has also been said: the worldly life and the Hereafter, bodies and souls, mankind and jinn, the creation and the Creator, and the manifest and hidden blessings.

"That this is the word of a noble messenger."

Meaning: He speaks it and utters it by way of a message from Allah.

"And it is not the word of a poet."

Nor a soothsayer, as you claim. The scarcity [of your belief] is equivalent to non-existence; meaning: you do not believe and you do not remember at all. The meaning is: How disbelieving you are, and how heedless you are!

"A revelation from the Lord of the worlds."

It is a revelation, an explanation that it is the word of a messenger upon whom it was sent down from the Lord of the worlds. Abū al-Summāl read it as tanzīlan (in the accusative), meaning: "He sent it down as a revelation." It has been said that the "noble messenger" is Gabriel, peace be upon him. His saying, "And it is not the word of a poet," is evidence that it refers to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, because the meaning is to establish that he is a messenger, not a poet or a soothsayer.

"And if he had fabricated some sayings against Us, We would have seized him by the right hand. Then We would have cut from him the life-artery. And there is no one among you who could have withheld Us from him. And indeed, it is a reminder for the righteous. And indeed, We know that among you are deniers. And indeed, it is a source of regret for the disbelievers. And indeed, it is the absolute truth. So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great."