We did not teach him (to wit, the Messenger) poetry and it does not behove him.1 This is none but an Admonition, and a Clear Book
Footnotes
[1]
The Arabic word used is zakāt, which denotes purification and growth.
[2]
This is a rejoinder to the disbelievers, who slighted the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his message by branding him a poet when he preached Tauhid and talked of the Hereafter, life-after-death, and Hell and Heaven. (For further explanation, see(Surah Ash-Shuara, Ayats 224-227) and the E.Ns thereof).