Sura 53, An-Najm (The Unfolding), Mecca Period [23]

The Arabic text and Ali’s translation

أَعِندَهُ عِلْمُ الْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَى ﴿٣٥﴾

53:35.  What!

has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?

أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِي صُحُفِ مُوسَى ﴿٣٦﴾

36.  Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the books of Moses –

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Asad’s comments:

28 My rendering of the above two verses (together with the two interpolations between brackets) is based on Razi's convincing interpretation of this passage as a return to the theme touched upon in verses 29-30.

29 I.e., "How can he be so sure that there is no life in the hereafter, and no judgment?" 30 Cf. 2:124 and the corresponding note 100. It is obvious that the names of Abraham and Moses are cited here only by way of example, drawing attention to the fact that all through human history God has entrusted His elect, the prophets, with the task of conveying certain unchangeable ethical truths to man.

Ali’s comments:

5109. 'So that he can see what will happen in the Hereafter': for no bargains can be struck about matters unknown.

5110. Books of Moses: apparently not the Pentateuch, in the Torah, but some other book or books now lost. For example, the Book of the Wars of Jehovah is referred to in the Old Testament (Num. 21:14) but is now lost. The present Pentateuch has no clear message at all of a Life to come.