And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them, [and Allah said], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allah."
{And when We raised the mountain above them}
We uprooted it and lifted it, similar to His saying: "And We raised the Mount above them." From this is the expression: "He shook (*nataqa*) the waterskin," meaning he shook it to extract the butter from it.
{As if it were a canopy}
A canopy (*ẓulla*) is anything that shades you, such as a roof or a cloud. It is also recited with a *ṭāʾ* (i.e., *ẓalla*), derived from "he loomed over it" (*aṭalla*) when one overlooks something.
{And they thought it was falling upon them}
They knew it was going to fall upon them. This occurred because they refused to accept the rulings of the Torah due to their harshness and burden. So, Allah raised the Mount over their heads, covering the size of their encampment—a league by a league. It was said to them: "If you accept what is in it, [well and good]; otherwise, it will surely fall upon you." When they looked at the mountain, every man among them fell prostrate on his left eyebrow, looking at the mountain with his right eye out of fear of it falling. That is why you do not see a Jew prostrate except on his left eyebrow; they say: "This is the prostration by which the punishment was lifted from us." When Moses spread out the tablets containing the Book of Allah, there remained no mountain, tree, or stone that did not tremble. That is why you do not see a Jew to whom the Torah is recited who does not tremble and nod his head for it.
{Take what We have given you}
This implies an omitted verb of speech, meaning: "And We said: Take what We have given you," or "Saying: Take what We have given you of the Book."
{With determination}
Meaning: With resolve to bear its hardships and obligations.
{And remember what is in it}
Of commands and prohibitions, and do not forget it; or, remember what is in it regarding the exposure to great reward, so desire it. It is also possible that it means: Take what We have given you of this great sign with strength, if you are able to bear it, similar to His saying: "If you can pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass!"
{And remember what is in it}
Of evidence for overwhelming power and warning.
{That you might become righteous}
Regarding what you are currently upon. Ibn Mas‘ūd recited it as *wa-tadhakkarū* (and remind yourselves), and it is also read as *wa-udhkurū* (and remember), meaning the same as *tadhakkarū*.
