“And you ask no reward of them for it. It is only a reminder to all peoples. How many a sign there is in the heavens and on earth which they pass by, yet turn away from! Most of them do not believe in Allah without associating partners with Him. Do they then feel secure from an overwhelming punishment from Allah coming upon them, or from the Hour coming upon them suddenly while they are unaware?”

“And you ask no reward of them for it. It is only a reminder to all peoples,” by which they are reminded of what benefits them so that they may do it, and of what harms them so that they may avoid it.

“How many”—that is, how numerous—“a sign there is in the heavens and on earth which they pass by,” indicating to them that Allah alone is worthy of worship, “yet they turn away from it!”

Despite this, even if some faith is found among them, “most of them do not believe in Allah without associating partners with Him.” Although they acknowledge Allah Most High’s lordship and that He is the Creator, Provider, and Disposer of all affairs, they nevertheless associate partners with Allah in His divinity and in the worship due to Him alone. Those who have reached such a state have nothing left awaiting them but for punishment to descend upon them and retribution to take them by surprise while they feel secure. Therefore He said:

“Do they then feel secure”—that is, those who commit such deeds and turn away from Allah’s signs—“from an overwhelming punishment from Allah coming upon them?” That is, a punishment that engulfs them, encompasses them all, and eradicates them; “or from the Hour coming upon them suddenly”—that is, without warning—“while they are unaware?” They have made themselves deserving of that; therefore, let them repent to Allah and abandon whatever may bring about their punishment.