“What benefit was that which they had been allowed to enjoy to them? (207) And We never destroyed any town without its having warners, (208) as a reminder; and We were never unjust. (209) Nor did the devils bring it down. (210) It neither befits them, nor are they able to do so. (211) Indeed, they are surely barred from hearing. (212) So do not invoke another god alongside Allah, lest you become one of those punished.” (213)
“They do not believe in it”—that is, in the Quran—“until they see the painful punishment,” meaning at the time of death. “Then it comes upon them”—that is, the punishment—“suddenly,” unexpectedly, “while they are unaware of it” in this worldly life. “Then they will say, ‘Will we be granted respite?’” That is, so that we may believe and affirm the truth. They will wish to return and be granted a reprieve.
Muqatil said: When the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, warned them of the punishment, they said, “How long will you continue to threaten us with punishment? When will this punishment come?” Allah Most High said: “So is it Our punishment that they seek to hasten? Have you considered: if We let them enjoy themselves for many years”—in this world, referring to the disbelievers of Mecca, without destroying them—“then there comes to them that which they were promised,” namely the punishment. “What benefit was that which they had been allowed to enjoy to them?”—in those years. The meaning is that, even if their enjoyment of worldly blessings lasts long, once the punishment comes upon them, the length of that enjoyment will avail them nothing. It will be as though they had never enjoyed any blessing at all.
“And We never destroyed any town without its having warners”—that is, messengers who warned them. “As a reminder”: this is in the accusative, meaning that they warned them as a reminder. It has also been said that it is in the nominative: that is, this is a reminder. “And We were never unjust” in punishing them, for We had established the proof against them and left them no excuse.
“Nor did the devils bring it down.” This was because the polytheists used to claim that the devils placed the Quran upon the tongue of Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. So Allah—glorified be His mention—said: “Nor did the devils bring it down,” that is, the Quran. “It neither befits them” to bring down the Quran, “nor are they able to do so. Indeed, they are surely barred from hearing”—that is, from eavesdropping upon the heaven—“driven away by shooting stars.”
“So do not invoke another god alongside Allah, lest you become one of those punished.” Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Through him, He warns