As for things distinct from the possessor of power, examples include His words:

“Allah has promised you abundant spoils which you will take”—through to His words—“and other spoils over which you have not yet had power,” continuing to “All-Powerful.”

This indicates that they had power over the former, and that they may have power over the latter at another time. This is power over concrete entities.

And His words:

“They set out early, determined and able”—through to His words—“Perhaps our Lord will replace it for us with something better,” and the rest of the verse.

Abū al-Faraj said: “There are three interpretations of His words ‘able.’ The first is that they believed themselves to have power over their garden. This was stated by Qatāda.”

I say: This is the view of both Mujāhid and Qatāda, as Ibn Abī Hātim narrated from them. Mujāhid said: “Able, in their own estimation.” This is also what al-Baghawī mentioned: “Believing themselves to have power over their garden and its fruits, with no one to stand between them and it.” Qatāda said: “The people set out early, pressing on towards their garden, believing themselves able to do so.”

Abū al-Faraj said: “The second is that they had power over the poor. This was stated by al-Shaʿbī, meaning that they could withhold from them. It has also been said that they were able to give to them, but miserliness prevented them from giving. Allah knows best.

“The third is that they set out early while able—that is, possessing means. This was stated by Ibn Qutayba.”

I say: The verse describes them as having set out early, determined and able. Determination here refers to intent: they set out with firm resolve and power, but Allah rendered them powerless. The statement that they were ‘able, in their own estimation’ means that they thought matters would remain as they had been. Had that been so, their power would have been complete; instead, they were deprived of that power through the destruction of their garden.