He then warned them that ruin might befall them just as it had befallen those before them; that the former peoples had been far mightier, yet their very strength did nothing to avert destruction; and that, when calamity struck, they roamed the earth in every direction seeking some refuge—some escape from Allah’s punishment. Qatādah said, “The enemies of Allah fled in panic, only to find His decree overtaking them.” Al-Zajjāj (1) commented, “They went about, searching everywhere, but found no way to elude death.” In truth, they sought a way out from death and never found one.

Next the Almighty stated that in all of this there is a reminder “for anyone who has a heart, or who lends an ear while being attentive” (Qāf 37).

He then declared that He created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them in six days, and that no weariness or fatigue ever touched Him—openly refuting His foes among the Jews, who had claimed that He rested on the seventh day!

After that He commanded His Prophet to emulate Him, exalted be He, by showing patience toward what his enemies say about him, just as He Himself was patient with the Jews’ statement that He rested; and none is more patient with the abuse He hears than He is. (2)

Finally, He instructed him in what would aid that patience: to glorify his Lord with praise before sunrise, before sunset, in the night, and at the ends of the prostrations. Some said this refers to the witr prayer; others said it is the two rakʿahs offered after maghrib. The first view is that of Ibn ʿAbbās, while the second is held by ʿUmar, ʿAlī, Abū Hurayrah, Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī, and one of the two narrations from Ibn ʿAbbās.