And He Most High knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn. Therefore, beware of disobeying Him, seek the deeds that bring you closer to Him and draw you nearer to His mercy, and beware of every deed that distances you from Him and His mercy.
(4–6) “Whenever a sign from the signs of their Lord comes to them, they invariably turn away from it. They denied the truth when it came to them, but soon they will receive news of what they used to mock. Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? We had established them on earth more firmly than We have established you; We sent down abundant rain upon them from the sky and made rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins and raised other generations after them.”
This is a declaration from Him Most High concerning the polytheists’ aversion, the severity of their denial and hostility, and the fact that signs are of no avail to them until exemplary punishments descend upon them. He therefore said: “Whenever a sign from the signs of their Lord comes to them”—conclusively demonstrating the truth and calling them to follow and accept it—“they invariably turn away from it.” They pay it no heed and lend it no ear; their hearts have turned elsewhere, and they have turned their backs upon it.
“They denied the truth when it came to them.” The truth deserves to be followed, and Allah should be thanked for making it accessible to them and bringing it to them. Yet they received it in precisely the opposite manner to that which was required, and thus deserved severe punishment. “But soon they will receive news of what they used to mock.” That is, they will soon see that what they mocked is true and real, and Allah will expose to the deniers their lies and fabrications. They used to mock the resurrection, Paradise, and Hell; but when the Day of Resurrection comes, the deniers will be told: “This is the Fire which you used to deny.”
⦗251⦘ He Most High also said: “They swear by Allah their most solemn oaths that Allah will not resurrect anyone who dies. Yes indeed! It is a true promise binding upon Him, but most people do not know—so that He may make clear to them that over which they differed, and so that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.”
He then commanded them to take heed from the nations of the past, saying: “Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them?” That is, how many denying nations We destroyed in succession! Before destroying them, We had granted them respite: “We had established them on earth more firmly than We have established” these people, granting them wealth, children, and affluence.
“We sent down abundant rain upon them from the sky and made rivers flow beneath them.” Through this, Allah caused whatever crops and fruits He willed to grow for them, which they enjoyed and from which they ate whatever they desired. Yet they did not thank Allah for His blessings. Instead, they devoted themselves to their appetites, and every kind of pleasure distracted them. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they did not believe them; rather, they rejected and denied them. Allah therefore destroyed them for their sins and raised “other generations after them.”