[151] Aya.
[152] Since God is the Sovereign Owner of all creation, He has the undisputed right to make lawful or unlawful whatever He wills (al-Ṭabarī, al-Saʿdī). Thus, He abrogates certain rulings and replaces them with others, but being infinitely Fair and Wise, He replaces these with the likes of them or even better ones.
[153] None has the power to confer goodness and drive away harm except Almighty God. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Saʿdī)
[154] These questions are not asked to gain insight and wisdom but are rather intended to emphasize the Prophet’s powerlessness. Examples of these are detailed in 4: 153 and 17: 89-93.
[155] To bring about His ruling regarding them. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Saʿdī, Ibn ʿĀshūr)
[156] Believers are commanded to turn their attention away from these squabbles and concentrate on matters that are more rewarding and ascertaining of Faith. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[157] That is devoting oneself wholly to God. The face is synecdochically mentioned in place of the whole self because it is the most dignified of all human body parts. (al-Ṭabarī)