The meaning of «التفاوت» is difference, distinction. «تفاوت» and «تفوت» both have the same meaning. «تميز‏» means to be torn into pieces. «مناكبها‏» means at its edges. «تدعون» (with shaddah on dal) and «تدعون» (with sukoon on dal) both have the same meaning, just as «تذكرون‏.‏» and «تذكرون‏» (with sukoon on dhal) have the same meaning. «يقبضن‏» means they flap their wings (or fold them). Mujahid said the meaning of «صافات‏» is with their wings spread open. By «نفور» , disbelief and wickedness are meant.

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: «يتخافتون» means secretly, whispering. Qatadah said: The meaning of «حرد» is striving from the heart, or miserliness, or anger. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: The meaning of «لضالون» is that we forgot the place of our garden, we went astray and went ahead. Others said: The meaning of «صريم» is the morning which is separated from the night, or the night which is separated from the day. «صريم» also refers to that sand which is separated from large sand dunes. «صريم» , «مصروم» is in the meaning as in «قتيل» , and «مقتول» is in the meanings.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: (regarding the Verse):-- 'Cruel after all that, base-born (of illegitimate birth).' (68.13) It was revealed in connection with a man from Quaraish who had a notable sign (Zanamah) similar to the notable sign which usually-hung on the neck of a sheep (to recognize it).