Athan: It is derived from 'adhan' meaning to know, but its use has become frequent in the context of warning. From it is His saying, 'So declare war from Allah and His Messenger,' and the saying of Ibn Halzah: 'You have informed us of her separation, O Asma.' [You have informed us of her separation, O Asma... O Lord, a dweller who makes others weary of his dwelling.] This is the beginning of the mu'allaqa of Al-Harith ibn Halzah. And to 'adhan' something means to know it by the sense of hearing, and it has expanded in meaning to denote general knowledge. And 'aadhana' (with elongation) means to inform him. And 'al-bayn' is a noun meaning distance and separation. It has been mentioned that 'Asma' is from 'wasama,' meaning beauty. And 'al-thaawi' means the resident. 'Al-mallal' is weariness. 'Al-thawa' is residence. He says: You have informed us of her separation. And perhaps a sick person makes people weary of his residence, while he is not so. This is omitted due to the knowledge of it from the context.

And the meaning is: After your turning away and your aversion to accepting what has been presented to you regarding the obligation of the oneness of Allah and His being free from partners and associates, like a man who has a truce with his enemies but senses treachery from them. He then renounces the pact, publicly announces the renunciation, and informs them all equally, meaning he did not conceal it from any of them and confronted all of them, and he peeled the stick from its bark. What you are promised of the Muslims' victory over you is inevitable, and you will certainly be afflicted with humiliation and degradation because of it, even though I do not know when that will be, for Allah has not taught me its knowledge nor has He informed me of it. And Allah is All-Knowing; nothing is hidden from Him of what you openly say against Islam and what you conceal in your hearts of enmity and hatred towards the Muslims, and He will recompense you for it.

And I do not know; perhaps the delay of this appointed time is a test for you to see how you will act. Or it is a respite for you until a time that will serve as evidence against you, and the appointed time will occur at a moment that is wise.