Source: Ibn Kathir
What the Disbelievers said about the Qur'an
Allah tells us about the foolishness of the disbelievers' ignorant minds, when they said about the Qur'an:
(This is nothing but a lie), meaning an untruth.
(that he has invented,) meaning the Prophet .
(and others have helped him in it.) means, he asked other people to help him compile it.
So Allah said:
(In fact, they have produced an unjust wrong and a lie.) meaning, they are the ones who are telling a lie, and they know that it is false, for their own souls know that what they are claiming is not true.
(And they say: "Tales of the ancients which he has written down...'') meaning, the ancients wrote them down, and he has copied it.
(and they are dictated to him) means, they are read or recited to him.
(morning and afternoon. ) at the beginning and end of the day. Because this idea is so foolish and is so patently false, everyone knows that it is not true. It is known through Mutawatir reports and is a common fact that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah never learned to read or write, either at the beginning or the end of his life. He grew up among them for approximately forty years, from the time he was born until the time when his mission began. They knew all about him, and about his honest and sound character and how he would never lie or do anything immoral or bad. They even used to call him Al-Amin (the Trustworthy One) from a young age, until his mission began, because they saw how truthful and honest he was. When Allah honored him with that which He honored him, they declared their enmity towards him and came up with all these accusations which any reasonable person would know he was innocent of. They were not sure what to accuse him of. Sometimes they said that he was a sorcerer, at other times they would say he was a poet, or crazy, or a liar.
(Say: "It has been sent down by Him Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth''.) meaning, He has revealed the Qur'an which includes true information about the earlier and later generations, information which concurs with the realities of the past and future.
(Who knows the secret) means, Allah is the One Who knows the unseen in the heavens and on the earth; He knows their secrets just as He knows what is visible therein.
(Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) This is an invitation to them to repent and turn back to Allah, telling them that His mercy is vast and His patience is immense. Whoever repents to Him, He accepts his repentance. Despite all their lies, immorality, falsehood, disbelief and stubbornness, and saying what they said about the Messenger and the Qur'an, He still invites them to repent and give up their sin, and to come to Islam and true guidance.
What the Disbelievers said about the Messenger , refutation of Their Words, and Their ultimate Destination
Allah tells us about the disbelievers' stubborn resistance to and rejection of the truth, with no proof or evidence for doing so. Their excuse was, as they said:
(Why does this Messenger eat food,) meaning, `as we eat, and why does he need food as we need it'
(and walk about in the markets.) means, he walks around and goes there often seeking to trade and earn a living.
(Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him) They were saying: why doesn't an angel come down to him from Allah, to be a witness that what he is claiming is true. This is like when Fira`wn said:
("Why then are not golden bracelets bestowed on him, or angels sent along with him'') (43:53).
These people had a similar mentality and said the same kind of thing.
They said:
(Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him) meaning, treasure that he could spend on his needs and wants.
(or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat) meaning, a garden that would go with him wherever he went. All of this is easy for Allah, but He had a reason for not doing any of these things, and with Him is the perfect proof and argument.
(And the wrongdoers say: "You follow none but a man bewitched.'')
Allah said:
(See how they coin similitudes for you, so they have gone astray,) meaning, they accused you and belied you when they said that you were a sorcerer or bewitched or crazy or a liar or a poet, but all of these are false ideas. Everyone who has the slightest understanding will recognize that they are lying.
(so they have gone astray) from the path of guidance.
(and they cannot find a path.) Everyone who steps outside of the way of truth and guidance has gone astray, no matter what direction he takes, because the truth is one and its methodology is unified, parts of it confirming other parts. Then Allah tells His Prophet that if He willed, He could bestow on him in this world something far better than what they were saying.
(Blessed be He Who, if He wills, will assign you better than (all) that...) Mujahid said, "This means in this world.'' And he said: "The Quraysh used to call every house that was made of stone a `palace', whether it was large or small.''
(Nay, they deny the Hour,) means, they say this in stubborn disbelief, not because they are seeking insight and guidance, but because their disbelief in the Day of Resurrection makes them say what they say.
(And We have prepared) means, `We have made ready,'
(for those who deny the Hour, a flaming Fire.) means, an unbearably hot and painful torment in the fire of Hell.
(When it sees them) means, when Hell sees them,
(from a far place,) means from the place of gathering (on the Day of Resurrection),
(they will hear its raging and its roaring.) means, (it will make those sounds) out of hatred towards them.
(And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together,) Qatadah narrated from Abu Ayyub that `Abdullah bin `Amr said: "Like the point of a spear, i.e., in its narrowness.''
(chained together,) Abu Salih said, "This means, tied from their shoulders.''
(they will exclaim therein for destruction.) means, they will utter cries of woe, regret and sorrow.
Is the Fire better, or Paradise
Here Allah says: `O Muhammad, this that We have described to you about the state of those who are doomed, who will be dragged on their faces to Hell, which will receive them with a scowling face, with hatred and moans. There they will be thrown into their constricted spaces, tied up to their shoulders, unable to move or call for help, and unable to escape their plight --- is this better, or the eternal Paradise which Allah has promised to the pious among His servants, which He has prepared for them as a reward and ultimate destiny in return for their obedience to Him in this world'
(For them there will be therein all that they desire,) of delights such as food, drink, clothing, dwellings, means of transportation and scenery, and other things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor the heart of anyone can comprehend. They will abide therein forever; it will never cease or come to an end, and they will never leave it. This is what Allah has promised to those whom He has blessed and to whom He has shown His favor.
(It is a upon your Lord a Wa`dan Mas'ula) meaning, it must inevitably come to pass.
(Wa`dan Mas'ula) mean: a binding pledge. In this Surah Allah mentions Hell, then refers to the situation of the people of Paradise.
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