Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said to Jibril,

« What prevents you from visiting us more than you do ?»

Then this Ayah was revealed,

Al-Bukhari was alone in recording it and he related it with the Tafsir of this Ayah. Al-‘Awfi reported from Ibn ‘Abbas that he said, “Jibril was kept from visiting the Messenger of Allah, SO he was disturbed and grieved because of this. Then, Jibril came to him and said, ‘O Muhammad,

{And we descend not except by the command of your Lord.}’”

Allah said,

It has been said that the meaning of “what is before us” refers to that which is in this life and “what is behind us” refers to the Hereafter.

This means what is between two blows of the Sur. This is the opinion of Abu Al-‘Aliyah, Ikrimah and Mujahid. This was also stated by Said bin Jubayr and Qatadah in one narration from them. As-Suddi and Ar-Rabl‘ bin Anas held this opinion as well. It has also been said,

{what is before its} means the future matters of the Hereafter.

{ivhat is behind us,} means what has taken place in this life,

means what happens between this life and the Hereafter. A statement like this explanation has been reported from Ibn ‘Abbas, Said bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Ibn Jurayj and Ath-Thawrl. Ibn Jarir also preferred this latter interpretation. And Allah knows best.

Concerning Allah’s statement,

Mujahid said, “This means that your Lord has not forgotten you.”
Allah said,

He created all of that, He is the Disposer of its affairs, He is the Legislator over it and He is in absolute control of ijt, having no one to oppose His decisions.

‘Ali bin Abi Talhah related that Ibn ‘Abbas said that this means, “Do you know any comparison or something similar to the Lord?” Mujahid, Sa‘Id bin Jubayr, Qatadah, Ibn Jurayj and others all said the same. ‘Ikrimah related that Ibn ‘Abbas said, “There is no ojje named Ar-Rahman (the Most Beneficent) other than Him, Blessed and Exalted is He. Most Holy is His Name.”