And when the response regarding their disbelief was completed with the revelation and what was revealed to him, and his attachment to it intensified, he turned to console the one who was revealed to, blessings and peace be upon him. This is because the instigator for distinguishing the response to the suggested verses was the mockery of the disbelievers. So he said: "And certainly, they were mocked" meaning by the lowest of creation and others "by messengers."

And since the sending did not encompass all times, let alone the mockery, he included the preposition and said: "before you" due to their failure to bring forth the suggestions; and mockery is the seeking of derision, which is the showing contrary to what is concealed for the purpose of belittlement. "So I gave them respite" meaning that the consequence of their mockery was that I gave them respite "for those who disbelieved" meaning I delayed them in ease and abundance like a beast that is given respite, meaning it is extended in the pasture. And I did not make that a reason for their response to what they proposed nor to hasten them with punishment, which is the action of the narrow-minded and perceptive. "Then" after a long respite "I seized them" meaning a seizing of overpowering and vengeance. "So how" meaning my seizing of them was a reason for the one who was delaying our messengers or who thought of us as being careless with them to be asked: How was the punishment? So it is an inquiry whose meaning is astonishment at what befell the deniers and a confirmation, and within it is a severe warning.