And when the contents of these proofs depend on knowledge of the unseen, because the hidden cannot be revealed by the creation, nor by uncovering harm, nor by perfecting management except through it. This is because there is no ability at all for one who has no knowledge, nor is there completeness in the ability of one whose knowledge is not complete - as has been explained in [Surah] Taha. And He, glorified and exalted is He, demanded from them at the end of these proofs a proof against polytheism. They would sometimes say: 'We will bring it.' He commanded that they know that there is no proof for them against it; rather, the proof stands in opposition to it. So He said: 'Say' - meaning to them or to anyone who claims their claim: 'No one knows.' However, He expressed it with the tool of the wise, saying: 'Who' so that it would not be restricted by someone obstinate with what he does not understand. He expressed it with the preposition to indicate that the object of knowledge is hidden. Every preposition conceals its object from knowledge of what is beyond it. So He said: 'In the heavens and the earth, the unseen' - meaning: the complete in being unseen, which has not emerged into the world of witnessing at all, nor has any sign indicated it, so that he could have knowledge of anything from what has preceded in these verses of matters and know it.

And when Allah, the Exalted, is exalted above being contained by a place, the exception here is made to be disconnected. And it is the right of the disconnected to be in the accusative [as Ibn Abi Abla read it uniquely], but he raised it [by the consensus of the ten] as a substitute according to the language of [the tribe of] Tamim. It was said: 'Except Allah' - meaning: the one who is unique with the attributes of perfection, as it was said in poetry:

And a town in which there is no companion except the wild animals and the camels.

Meaning: If the wild animals are companions, then there is a companion in it, thus refuting the statement of its being devoid of companions. So the meaning of the verse is: If Allah, exalted and high, is among those in the heavens and the earth, then there is one among them who knows the unseen. This means that the knowledge of one of them of the unseen is impossible, just as it is impossible for Allah to be one of them. And it is valid for Him to be connected, and the prepositional phrase regarding Him, glorified is He, is metaphorical in relation to His knowledge, even if it contains a combination of reality and metaphor. Based on this, it rises above the substitute or the attribute, and the raising is more eloquent than the accusative, because it is from something negated. And this is known to be the secret of why He did not say: 'No one knows the unseen except Him.' This is a reminder of the prepositional nature and the need, and that the preposition is a veil, which no doubter can doubt. Ibn Malik made the connection of the preposition specific to its estimation: it is mentioned, and others made 'who' as the object and 'the unseen' as a substitute of inclusion, and the exception is made empty. Thus, the estimation is: No one knows the unseen of those mentioned - meaning: what is hidden from them - except Him.

And when the news - which no one among the people has knowledge of - may be informed by the soothsayers, or someone from the jinn, from the insides of the idols, they would call this غيب [ghayb], even though in reality it is not so, for they hear it from the heavens after Allah has revealed it to the realm of testimony for the angels and for whom He wills from His servants. And they would sometimes be obstinate about it regarding the expression. And the Hour has established its matter, and it has become widespread in the Qur'an and on the tongues of the prophets, blessings and peace be upon them, and their companions, may Allah be pleased with them, mentioning it, to the extent that it has become like something that there is no dispute about. And the knowledge of its time is from pure غيب [ghayb]. He said: ﴿And they do not know﴾ meaning: no one among those in the heavens and the earth, even if they gather and cooperate, ﴿when﴾ [meaning:] at what time ﴿they will be resurrected﴾. So whoever has knowledge of anything of that in reality has proven his truthfulness, and whoever has speculated has shown his falsehood.