al-Qamar

وَلَقَدْ جَاءهُم مِّنَ الْأنبَاء مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ

حِكْمَةٌ بَالِغَةٌ فَمَا تُغْنِ النُّذُرُ

فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ يَوْمَ يَدْعُ الدَّاعِ إِلَی شَيْءٍ نُّكُرٍ

4. And indeed there has come unto them news wherein there is to cease disbelief,

5. Perfect wisdom, but the words of the warners benefit the obdurate not.

6. Therefore, turn away from them. The Day that the Caller shall call [them] to a terrible thing and torment of Hell.

The Arabic word naba’ is applied a piece of news which has three characteristics. Firstly, the subject matter happens to be of significant occurrence, as any piece of news is not termed naba’. Secondly, knowledge and/or certitude is accrued of the same. Thirdly, the issue is true devoid of untruth.⁸ The Arabic word muzdajar derives from z-j-r ("drive back, hold back") which connotes the news that may impede man from committing sins. In other words, accounts of the ancients and their desperation and torments contain significant news embodying warning and disgust for believers.

The blessed Verse 5 is saying that the Holy Qur’an is wisdom par excellence in terms of eloquence, which resumes the points discussed in the preceding Verses. As it was mentioned above, it may make a reference to the point that Cleaving asunder of the Moon at a certain time, all the miracles of the Prophets and the torment of the damned unfortunate (ashqiya’) as the Recompense of their deeds, and all other happenings that occurred at other times owing to the Preordination of the Most Exalted Lord constitute Wisdom par excellence.

"But the words of the warners benefit them not"

may allude to the fact that such obdurate, arrogant, and ignorant people were not convinced to believe by such significant miracle but they regarded it as magic and remained in their disbelief and animosity. In short, all these blessed Verses indicate that Cleaving of the Moon at the command of the Seal of the Prophets (S) was done to bear witness to the veracity of his Prophetic Call and the same was worked according to the order of the world of creation.

Addressed to the Noble Prophet (S), the blessed Verse 6 is saying that when disbelievers witnessed such great miracle but failed to believe, you are supposed to withdraw from them without taking troubles for their ignorance but remember the Day when the Divine Caller calls people unto a horrible thing – the Call to Record of deeds. It is worthy of note that the Arabic word nukur designates something horrible and unbeknownst.

Footnotes

1. 8. Raghib's Mufradat.