The Expression “wa-mā kunta” (“and you were not”) in Important and Sensitive Matters

The Qur’an uses expressions such as “wa-mā kunta” (“and you were not”) and “wa-mā kunta ladayhim” (“and you were not with them”) in important and sensitive matters, such as events from the time of Moses, Joseph, and Hud (a.s.): “You were not on the western side when We revealed the commandments to Moses, nor were you among the witnesses. But We brought forth other generations and time took its toll on them. And you did not dwell among the people of Midian reciting to them Our signs, but it is We who are the senders [of the messengers]. And you were not on the side of the Mount when We called out [to Moses], but [We have sent you as] a mercy from your Lord that you may warn a people to whom there did not come any warner before you, so that they may take admonition”.(193) “These are accounts of the Unseen which We reveal to you, and you were not with them when they conspired together and schemed”.(194) “These are accounts of the Unseen which We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people used to know them before this. So be patient. Indeed the outcome will be in favour of the Godwary”.(195)

In this verse, in addition to denying the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) prior knowledge of unseen matters without revelation, it also negates his people’s knowledge of these matters, because firstly, they were illiterate and did not know how to read, and secondly, this information was not recorded in any book.

The true teacher, who in every realm is the sacred essence of God, tells the student that whether in the realm of the unseen and the mother of the book (umm al-kitāb) or in the realm of witness and clear Arabic, you did not know and cannot know anything by yourself. He says to people: “And He teaches you what you did not know”,(196) meaning that the Prophet (s.a.w.) teaches you something that not only do you not know now, but you could never know it. Regarding the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself, He says: “And He taught you what you did not know”,(197) meaning God taught you something that you could never learn.

God tells the Prophet (s.a.w.) in the verse under discussion that Our words about Mary (a.s.) are all from unseen news: “These are accounts of the Unseen which We reveal to you”, because firstly, these accounts are either not in the Torah and Gospel at all or have been distorted. Secondly, you yourself neither attended school nor had knowledgeable people around you so that you could learn about the news of previous nations, therefore you must have been informed directly from the unseen.

The reasoning in this verse is such that it closes the door to any denial.

Note: From such verses, it is understood that no one inherently knows the unseen except God; this does not mean that knowledge of the unseen through divine information and permission is impossible: “Knower of the Unseen, He does not disclose His Unseen to anyone, except to a messenger He approves of”.(198)