“Did We not create you from a lowly fluid (20), then place it in a secure resting place (21) for a known term (22)? Thus We determined, and how excellent are We at determining! (23) Woe, that Day, to the deniers! (24) Have We not made the earth a receptacle (25)?”

Concerning His saying, “And when the messengers are appointed to their time,” the people of Basra recited it with an initial waw. Abu Ja'far likewise recited it with waw, but with an ungeminated qaf, whereas the others recited it with an initial hamza and a doubled qaf. Both are dialectal forms. The Arabs interchange waw and hamza, as in wakkadtu and akkadtu (“I affirmed”), and warrakhtu and arrakhtu (“I dated”). Both readings mean that the messengers are gathered for the appointed time of a known Day—the Day of Resurrection—in order to testify against the nations.

“‘For what Day has their appointment been deferred?’” That is, delayed. He set a time for their gathering, and people marvelled at that Day. He then clarified it, saying, “‘For the Day of Decision.’” Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “It is the Day on which the Most Merciful, glorified and exalted is He, will judge between all creatures.”

“‘And what could make you know what the Day of Decision is? Woe, that Day, to those who deny! Did We not destroy the former peoples?’” That is, the past nations were destroyed by punishment in this world when they denied their messengers.

“‘Then cause the latter to follow them?’” That is, those who follow their way in disbelief and denial—namely, the disbelievers of Mecca, because of their denial of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

“‘Thus do We deal with the guilty. Woe, that Day, to those who deny! Did We not create you from a lowly fluid?’” That is, from the drop of semen.

“‘Then place it in a secure resting place?’” That is, the womb.

“‘For a known term?’” That is, until the time of birth.

“‘Thus We determined.’” The people of Madinah and al-Kisai recited it with a doubled qaf, from determination, while the others recited it with an ungeminated qaf, from power, as indicated by His saying, “‘and how excellent are We at determining!’” It has also been said that the two readings have the same meaning. His saying, “‘and how excellent are We at determining!’” means: how excellent are We at decreeing.

“‘Woe, that Day, to those who deny! Have We not made the earth a receptacle?’” That is, a container. The meaning of kaft is to enclose and gather together,