“Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our signs and said, ‘I shall surely be given wealth and children’? Has he looked into the unseen, or has he taken from the Most Merciful a promise?” (77–78)

“Say, ‘Whoever is in error, let the Most Merciful prolong for him his respite.’” This is an imperative in form but declarative in meaning: He leaves him in his transgression and grants him respite in his disbelief, “until, when they see what they have been promised—either the punishment,” namely captivity and killing in this world, “or the Hour,” that is, the Resurrection, when they enter the Fire, “they will know,” at that time, “who is worse in position,” that is, in dwelling place, “and weaker in forces,” that is, has fewer supporters: they or the believers? For they will be in the Fire, while the believers will be in Paradise. This refutes their statement: “Which of the two parties is better in position and finer in gathering?”

Allah, exalted is He, says: “And Allah increases those who are guided in guidance,” that is, in faith and certainty, adding to their certainty. 10/a “And enduring righteous deeds” are remembrances of Allah and righteous deeds that remain for their doer: “better in reward with your Lord and better in return,” that is, in outcome and final destination.

Allah, exalted is He, says: “Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our signs and said, ‘I shall surely be given wealth and children’?” Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us; Ahmad ibn Abd Allah al-Nu'aymi informed us; Muhammad ibn Yusuf informed us; Muhammad ibn Isma'il informed us; Amr ibn Hafs informed us; my father informed us; al-A'mash informed us, from Muslim, from Masruq, who said: Khabbab narrated to us, saying: “I was a blacksmith, and I worked for al-As ibn Wa'il. My wages accumulated with him, so I came to demand payment. He said, ‘No, by Allah, I will not pay you until you disbelieve in Muhammad.’ I said, ‘No, by Allah, I will not do so until you die and are resurrected.’ He said, ‘Will I indeed die and then be resurrected?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Then I shall have wealth and children there, and I will pay you.’ Thereupon Allah, exalted is He, revealed: ‘Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our signs and said, “I shall surely be given wealth and children”?’” (1).

Allah, exalted is He, says: “Has he looked into the unseen?” Ibn Abbas said: “Has he looked into the Preserved Tablet?” Mujahid said: “Has he acquired knowledge of the unseen, so that he knows whether he will be in Paradise or not?”