A third report from Ibn ʿAbbās states that the phrase refers to verbal glorification—saying tasbīḥ—after the obligatory prayers. (1)

The sūrah then concludes with mention of the Hereafter: the caller’s cry summoning souls back to their bodies for the Gathering. He informs us that this call will issue from a place close at hand so that everyone will hear it—“on the Day when they will hear the inevitable blast in truth” (Qāf 42), heralding the resurrection and the meeting with Allah—“the Day when the earth will split open for them” just as it splits for vegetation, and they will emerge “swiftly,” with no pause or delay. Such a gathering is effortless for Him, exalted is He.

Next, the Almighty states that He knows full well what His enemies say, and this implies that He will requite them for those words, for nothing is hidden from Him. He mentions His knowledge and His power in order to affirm the certainty of recompense.

He then informs the Prophet (2) that he has not been given authority over them, nor was he sent to compel them to embrace Islam by force. Rather, he is to remind—with Allah’s words—whoever fears His warning, for such a person will benefit from the reminder. As for the one who neither believes in meeting Him, nor fears His threat, nor hopes for His reward, that person will gain nothing from the reminder.

Benefit

The Prophet’s ﷺ statement to ʿUmar: “And how do you know that Allah has already looked upon the people of Badr and said, ‘Do whatever you wish, for I have forgiven you’?” (3) has puzzled many people.