The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 3) — Page 109
PT. 12 HŪD unto them, it shall not be averted from them, and that which they used to mock at shall encompass them. 1390 R. 2. & CH. 11 بِهِمْ مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِءُ وَنَ of mercy from Us, and then take it away from him, verily, he is despairing, ungrateful. 1391 وَلَبِنْ آذَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنَ رَحْمَةً ثُمَّ نَزَعْنُهَا And if We make man taste. 10 مِنْهُ إِنَّهُ لَيَوْسٌ كَفُورٌ وَلَبِنْ أَذَقُنَهُ نَعْمَاءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّاء مَسَّتُهُ And if after an adversity. 11 b لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ السَّيَّاتُ عَنِى إِنَّهُ to taste of prosperity, he will has touched him We cause him assuredly say, ‘Gone are the ills a41:52, 41:51. cannot come to a stop in this world, but must continue into another and higher life after death, they deny it. 1390. Important Words: ad (time) is derived from (amma). They say (ammah) i. e. he repaired or directed his course to him or it; he sought or aimed at it. a means, way, course or manner of acting; religion; a people or nation; a generation of men. It also means a time or a period of time as in 12:46 (Lane). Commentary: The verse points out that just as most people are in doubt about the life after death, similarly they labour under a delusion with regard to Divine punishment in this life. If punishment is delayed a little, they become impatient and begin to criticize and find fault with Divine Messengers, although the nature of this world as being an abode of trials demands that Divine punishment 1317 should be late in coming; for if there were no delay, the abode of trials would turn into a veritable abode of recompense. It is strange that on the one hand people deny the existence of an abode of recompense and, on the other, by demanding from the Prophets of God a decisive punishment, admit that there should be such a thing as an abode of requital. The words, that which they used to mock at shall encompass them, show that disbelievers, while demanding the speedy arrival of punishment, do not do so in earnest, but only ridicule the warnings of Prophets about the impending punishment. They should know that their scoffing and jeering shall recoil on themselves and will serve only to expedite the threatened punishment. 1391. Commentary: See the next verse.