Tafsir of Al-Haqqah 69:44

"And if he had fabricated against Us..."

"Taqawwul" (fabrication): It is the iftiʿāl form of qawl (speech), because it involves affectation (takalluf) on the part of the fabricator. Fabricated statements are called aqāwīl (a diminutive/pejorative form), similar to saying al-aʿājīb (wonders) or al-aḍāḥīk (laughable things), as if it were the plural of ufʿūlah derived from qawl.

The meaning: If he had claimed against Us something We did not say, We would have killed him by ṣabr (restraint/binding). This is how kings deal with those who lie about them, hastening with wrath and vengeance. The image of killing by ṣabr is depicted in its specific form to be more terrifying: that he is seized by his hand and his neck is struck.

Why the right hand? The right hand is specified over the left because if a killer intends to strike the nape of the neck, he seizes the victim with his left hand. But if he intends to strike the throat and face him with the sword—which is more severe for the one being killed because he sees the sword—he seizes him with his right hand. The meaning of "We would have seized him by the right hand" is "We would have seized his right hand," just as "We would have cut his watīn" means "We would have cut his watīn." This is clear.

The Watīn: It is the ligament of the heart, the jugular vein; if it is cut, its owner dies. It is also recited as wa-law tuqūla (passive voice).

"And there is no one among you who could withhold [Us] from him": It is said that aḥad (anyone) is used in the description of the singular because it carries the meaning of a collective group. It is a noun used in general negation, applying equally to the singular, plural, masculine, and feminine. Examples include: "We make no distinction between any (aḥad) of His messengers" and "You are not like any (aḥad) of the women."

The pronoun in ʿanhu (from him) refers to the killing; meaning: no one among you could withhold Us from that or defend him against it. Or, it refers to the Messenger of Allah; meaning: you would not be able to withhold the killer from him or stand between him and the killer. The address is to the people, as in His saying: "And We know that among you are those who deny." It is a threat against denial. It is also said the address is to the Muslims, meaning: among them are people who will disbelieve in the Quran.

"And indeed, it is a regret for the disbelievers": The pronoun refers to the Quran, meaning it is a regret for those who disbelieve in it when they see the reward of those who believed in it. Or, it refers to the denial itself.

"And indeed, it is the truth of certainty": Like saying "He is the scholar, the truth of the scholar" or "the essence of the scholar." The meaning is: the very eye of certainty and pure certainty.

"So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great": Glorify Allah by mentioning His Great Name, which is "Subḥān Allāh," and worship Him in gratitude for what He has bestowed upon you by revealing it to you.

From the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Whoever recites Sūrat al-Ḥāqqah, Allah will account him with an easy reckoning."