Correspondence with Maulana Jalil Ahsan Nadwi

DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE coordinated with “anzalna al-hadid”. In that case, an implicit clause must be assumed—namely, “so that they may use it, and so that Allah may know…” (see Tafsir Abu al-Su‘ud, Vol. 8, p. 212). In my opinion, both interpretations are reasonable. 11. The “final phrase” serves as an expression of divine will, emphasizing that in the struggle between a Prophet and his opponents, the faithful are obliged to support the Prophet against the Prophet’s adversaries. Chapter Al-Baqarah, Verse 129 1. When the Quran employs four distinct words, it most likely implies four distinct tasks. 2. I concur with Allama Alusi’s explanation of these four terms (Ruh al-Ma’ani, Vol. 1, pp. 386-387). 3. If one were to consider this the purpose of the Prophet’s mission, I would have no objection to this interpretation. “Litakunu shuhadaa ‘ala al-naas” The distinction you outlined between shuhada with the preposition li- (for) and shuhada with ‘ala (against) is accurate in general usage, but it is not absolute. The preposition ‘ala can also be used in the context of general testimony, whether favorable or unfavorable