Commentary
And 'wa qīlih' is read with the three vowel markings. It is mentioned in the accusative by al-Akhfash that he took it to mean: 'Do they think that We do not hear their secret and their private conversation?' And 'qīlih' is also mentioned: 'And he said qīlih.' Al-Zajjāj connected it to the position of 'the hour,' as you say: 'I was amazed by the beating of Zayd and 'Amr.' He took the genitive to refer to the wording of 'the hour,' and the nominative as the subject, with what follows it as the predicate. He permitted connecting it to the knowledge of 'the hour' on the assumption of omitting the added phrase. Its meaning is: with Him is the knowledge of 'the hour' and the knowledge of 'qīlih.' What they said is not strong in meaning, as there is a separation between the connected and the connector that does not allow for interruption, and with the discordance of the structure. Stronger and more appropriate than that is that the genitive and accusative are based on the implied oath and its omission, while the nominative is based on their saying: 'By Allah's right,' and 'By Allah's trust,' and 'By Allah's oath,' and 'By your life.' The saying 'Indeed, these are a people who do not believe' would be the response to the oath, as if it were said: 'And I swear by His saying, O Lord.' Or 'And by His saying, O Lord, my oath is that these are a people who do not believe.' So, 'So turn away from them' means to turn away from their call, despairing of their faith, and leave them and abandon them. And say to them: 'Peace' means to be safe from you and to part ways. 'They will soon know' is a warning from Allah to them and a consolation for His Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him. The pronoun in 'wa qīlih' refers to the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, and Allah's swearing by His saying elevates it and honors His supplication and turning to Him.
From the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him: 'Whoever recites Surah Az-Zukhruf will be among those who will be told on the Day of Resurrection: O My servants, there is no fear upon you today, nor will you grieve. Enter Paradise without account.' [Narrated by Al-Thalabi, Ibn Mardawayh, and Al-Wahidi from the hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with him.]
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