“That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah, then indeed Allah is severe in punishment. Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing upon their roots, it was by Allah’s permission, and so that He might disgrace the defiantly disobedient.” (4–5)

“That”—that which befell them—“is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah, then indeed Allah is severe in punishment.”