Quranic Sciences

64. " And we (angels) do not descend but by the command of your Lord; to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these (two)! And your Lord is not forgetful."

Occasions of Revelation

Upon the preceding verse, a group of commentators have said that the descent of the revelations of Allah was discontinued for a few days, Gabriel, the harbinger of divine revelation, did not come to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) . After this period, when Gabriel came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) he asked him why he delayed and he (the Prophet) was anxious to see him. Gabriel said: "I am more anxious (to see you), but I am a commissioned servant. When I am commanded to come, I come; and when I am not commanded, I restrain (to come)." 73

Commentary

For these verses, of course, there is a particular occasion of revelation, which was referred to in the above, but this matter does not hinder that there be a logical connection and relation between them and the former verses. This is an emphasis on the fact that whatever verses Gabriel has brought are utterly from the side of Allah and nothing is said from himself.

The first verse, from the tongue of the harbinger of revelation, says:

" And we (angels) do not descend but by the command of your Lord; …"

Every thing belongs to Him and we (angels) are some servants all submitted, because:

"… to Him belongs whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and whatever is between these (two)! …"

In short, the future and the past and present, here and there and everywhere, this world and Hereafter and the intermediate world all belong to the Pure Essence of Allah.

And, you should also do know that your Lord has not been, and is not, forgetful. The verse says:

"…And your Lord is not forgetful."

Notes:

73. The Commentary of Qurtabi, vol. 6, p.4168, and Majma'-ul-Bayan

Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Maryam" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"