Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Abasa -> The Characteristics of the Qur'an

Allah says,

﴿كَلاَّ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ ﴾

(11. Nay; indeed it is an admonition.) meaning, this Surah, or this advice in conveying knowledge equally among people, whether they are of noble or low class. Qatadah and As-Suddi both said,

﴿كَلاَّ إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ ﴾

(Nay; indeed it is an admonition.) "This means the Qur'an.''

﴿فَمَن شَآءَ ذَكَرَهُ ﴾

(12. So, whoever wills, let him pay attention to Him (it).) meaning, so whoever wills, he remembers Allah in all of his affairs. The pronoun could also be understood to be referring to the revelation since the conversation is alluding to it. Allah said:

﴿فَى صُحُفٍ مُّكَرَّمَةٍ - مَّرْفُوعَةٍ مُّطَهَّرَةٍ ﴾

(13. In Records held in honor,) (14. exalted, purified.) meaning, this Surah or this admonition. Both meanings are connected to each other. Actually, all of the Qur'an is in honored pages, meaning respected and revered.

﴿مَّرْفُوعَةٍ﴾

(exalted) meaning, elevated in status.

﴿مُّطَهَّرَةٍ﴾

(purified) meaning, from impurity, additions and deficiency. Concerning Allah's statement,

﴿بِأَيْدِى سَفَرَةٍ ﴾

(15. In the hands of ambassadors (Safarah),) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, and Ibn Zayd, all said, "These are the angels.'' Al-Bukhari said, "Safarah (ambassadors) refers to the angels. They travel around rectifying matters between themselves. The angels when they descend with the revelation of Allah, bringing it like the ambassador who rectifies matters between people.'' Allah said,

﴿كِرَامٍ بَرَرَةٍ ﴾

(16. Honorable and obedient.) meaning, they are noble, handsome, and honorable in their creation. Their character and their deeds are righteous, pure and perfect. Here it should be noted that it is necessary for one who carries the Qur'an (i.e., the angel) to be following righteousness and guidance. Imam Ahmad recorded from `A'ishah that the Messenger of Allah said,

«الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ وَهُوَ مَاهِرٌ بِهِ، مَعَ السَّفَرَةِ الْكِرَامِ الْبَرَرَةِ، وَالَّذِي يَقْرَؤُهُ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ شَاقٌّ، لَهُ أَجْرَان»

(He who recites the Qur'an proficiently, will be with the noble, righteous, ambassador angels, and the one who recites it with difficulty will receive two rewards.) This Hadith was reported by the group.

﴿قُتِلَ الإِنسَـنُ مَآ أَكْفَرَهُ - مِنْ أَىِّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُ - مِن نُّطْفَةٍ خَلَقَهُ فَقَدَّرَهُ - ثُمَّ السَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُ - ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ - ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُ - كَلاَّ لَمَّا يَقْضِ مَآ أَمَرَهُ - فَلْيَنظُرِ الإِنسَـنُ إِلَى طَعَامِهِ - أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا الْمَآءَ صَبّاً - ثُمَّ شَقَقْنَا الاٌّرْضَ شَقّاً - فَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا حَبّاً - وَعِنَباً وَقَضْباً - وَزَيْتُوناً وَنَخْلاً - وَحَدَآئِقَ غُلْباً - وَفَـكِهَةً وَأَبّاً مَتَـعاً لَّكُمْ وَلاًّنْعَـمِكُمْ ﴾

(17. Qutila mankind! How ungrateful he is!) (18. From what thing did He create him) (19. From a Nutfah He created him and then set him in due proportion.) (20. Then He made the path easy for him.) (21. Then He causes him to die and puts him in his grave.) (22. Then when it is His will, He will resurrect him.) (23. Nay, but has not done what He commanded him.) (24. Then let man look at his food:) (25. We pour forth water in abundance.) (26. And We split the earth in clefts.) (27. And We cause therein Habb to grow,) (28. And grapes and Qadb,) (29. And olives and date palms,) (30. And Ghulb Hada'iq,) (31. And fruits (Fakihah) and herbage (Abb).) (32. A provision and benefit for you and your cattle.)