"Before"—meaning: before the Quran—"as guidance for the people"—meaning: He sent all of these Books as guidance for the people—"and He sent down the Criterion [al-Furqan]." Qatada's interpretation: God distinguished between truth and falsehood in the Book. "Indeed, those who disbelieve in the verses of God"—Al-Hasan's interpretation: meaning, in the religion of God. "And God is Exalted in Might"—in His retribution—"the Owner of Retribution" against His enemies.
﴿من قبل﴾ يَعْنِي: من قبل الْقُرْآن ﴿هُدًى للنَّاس﴾ يَعْنِي: أنزل هَذِه الْكتب جَمِيعًا هدى للنَّاس ﴿وَأنزل الْفرْقَان﴾ تَفْسِير قَتَادَة: فرق اللَّه فِي الْكتاب بَين الْحق وَالْبَاطِل. ﴿إِنَّ الَّذين كفرُوا بآيَات الله﴾ تَفْسِير الحَسَن: يَعْنِي: بدين اللَّه. ﴿وَالله عَزِيز﴾ فِي نقمته ﴿ذُو انتقام﴾ من أعدائه
