⦗78⦘ “We certainly sent messengers before you. We have told you about some of them, while there are others We have not told you about. No messenger could bring a sign except by Allah’s permission. Then, when Allah’s command comes, judgment will be passed with truth, and thereupon the upholders of falsehood will be the losers.”

That is: “We certainly sent many messengers before you” to their peoples, calling them to the truth and patiently enduring the harm they inflicted upon them. “We have told you about some of them”—relating their accounts to you—“while there are others We have not told you about.” All the messengers were subject to Allah’s governance and had no control over the matter.

None of them could “bring a sign”—whether among the revelatory or rational signs—“except by Allah’s permission,” that is, by His will and command. Thus, those who demanded that the messengers bring signs were acting unjustly and obstinately and persisting in denial, even after Allah had supported them with signs demonstrating their truthfulness and the soundness of what they brought.

“Then, when Allah’s command comes” to decide between the messengers and their enemies and to grant victory, “judgment will be passed” between them “with truth”—with a verdict that is entirely fitting and right—by saving the messengers and their followers and destroying those who denied them. Hence He says: “And thereupon”—at the time of that judgment—“the upholders of falsehood will be the losers.” They are those characterized by falsehood: the knowledge and deeds they brought are false, and the very end they seek is futile.

Let those now being addressed beware of persisting in their falsehood, lest they suffer loss just as those before them did. They are no better than their predecessors, nor do the Scriptures grant them any assurance of salvation.