Quran Universe
86:13

إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوۡلٞ فَصۡلٞ

Innahu laqawlun faslun

Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,

Word by word
  1. إِنَّهُۥIndeed,it
  2. لَقَوۡلٞ(is) surely a Word
  3. فَصۡلٞdecisive
At-Tariq · 86:13Makkah

This Quran is a decisive word.

What the second oath confirms

What it is
the Quransworn to by sky and earth
is
a decisive wordtrue, a just ruling
How it settles things
one opinion among manytake it or leave it
the word that separatestruth from falsehood

Ibn Abbas and Qatadah said fasl here means true; someone else said a just ruling. The surah introduction calls it a decisive Word that no plan of the disbelievers can defeat.

Two loud opinions in the family chat, five videos saying opposite things. You need a word that settles it.

Everything is opinion, so nothing really settles a question.

The Quran is the word that separates truth from falsehood for me.

Try this

Bring one question you are confused about to the Quran today and look up a related verse.

Simplified reflection. Read the tafsir for scholarship.draft
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (shared passage from 86:11)

By the sky which gives rain, again and again (11)And the earth which splits (12)Verily, this is the Word that separates (13)And it is not a thing for amusement (14)Verily, they are but plotting a plot (15)And I am planning a plan (16)So, give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while (17)

Swearing to the Truthfulness of the Qur'an and the Failure of Those Who oppose it

Ibn 'Abbas said, "Ar-raj' means rain." It has also been narrated from him that he said, "It means the clouds that contain rain." He also said,

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ

(By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.)

"This means that it rains and then it rains (again)." Qatadah said, "It returns the sustenance of the servants (creatures) every year. Were it not for this, they would all be destroyed and so would their cattle."

وَالْأَرْضِ ذَاتِ الصَّدْعِ

(And the earth which splits.) Ibn 'Abbas said, "Splitting to bring forth plant growths." This was also said by Sa'id bin Jubayr, 'Ikrimah, Abu Malik, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others. Concerning Allah's statement,

إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ

(Verily, this is the Word that separates.)

Ibn 'Abbas said (Fasl is), "True." Qatadah also said the same. Someone else said, "A just ruling."

وَمَا هُوَ بِالْهَزْلِ

(And it is not a thing for amusement.)

meaning, rather it is serious and true. Then Allah informs about the disbelievers saying that they reject Him and hinder others from His path. Allah says,

إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا

(Verily, they are but plotting a plot.) meaning, they plot against the people in their calling them to oppose the Qur'an. Then Allah says,

فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ

(So, give a respite to the disbelievers;) meaning, wait for them and do not be in haste concerning them.

أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا

(deal gently with them for a while.) meaning, a little while. This means that you will see what befalls them of torment, punishment and destruction. This is as Allah says,

نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ

(We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a great torment.)(31:24)

This is the end of the Tafsir Surat At-Tariq, and unto Allah is all praise and thanks.