قُل هُوَ نَبَأٌ عَظيمٌ
Say: ‘It is a great tiding.
EXEGESIS
Nabaʾ (news) refers to any news that is of great importance. According to Rāghib, not every news is called a nabaʾ unless it is of great importance and conveys knowledge that overcomes speculation.
EXPOSITION
To conclude the brief interlude of the last two verses, the Prophet is commanded to say: It is a great prophesy. Considering the context, It could be referring to one of the things mentioned in the previous two verses. In that case it is most likely referring to the Prophet being a warner.
However, the change in rhyme scheme that begins with this verse and lasts till the end of the surah suggests this is the start of a new section of this chapter. Based on this, the opinion most popular with the exegetes, that It is referring to the Quran, also seems appropriate.
The best is to combine these two together though, that the nabaʾ is referring to the warning brought by the Quran. This is supported by the final verse of the surah, And you will surely learn its tidings (nabaʾ) in due time, which should be referring to the faithless learning the reality of the punishment promised to them in the Quran. For more on this see the commentary on the final verse.
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
The scholars have suggested some other meanings as well for great tiding (nabaʾ ʿaẓīm):
- From Mujāhid, Suddī, and others, that it is the Quran.
- From Hasan al-Baṣrī and others, that it is the Day of Judgement.
- It is turning away from God and worshipping idols.
- It is the oneness of God.
While none of these are problematic per se, they are not directly mentioned in the preceding two verses, which makes them less attractive as explanations.
[1] Raghib, p. 788.
[2] Zamakhshari, 4/104; Alusi, 12/210.
[3] Tibyan, 8/579; Tabrisi, 8/756; Tabari, 23/117; Baghawi, 8/215; Mizan, 17/223; Nemuneh, 19/331; Fadlallah, 19/285; Tantawi, 12/179.
[4] Tibyan, 8/579; Qurtubi, 15/226.
[5] Mudarrisi, 11/397.
[6] Razi, 26/407; Muhit, 9/172.