And when the estimation was made after what the context guided to regarding the object of "You warn": indeed, We are capable of destroying them and all that We desire from them. He added to it His saying: "And how many have We destroyed" by that which We have of greatness. And since the intent was to generalize, He established the circumstance devoid of the preposition, and confirmed the news by affirming what follows it, saying: "Before them from a generation" who were stronger than them in strength, and greater in number, and more reliable in equipment. So there remains only hearing their news and witnessing their traces. Then He said, depicting their state and affirming the content of what has passed regarding their outcome: "Do you perceive from them any one" by sight or touch, "or do you hear for them a whisper" meaning a faint sound, let alone that it be clear. Thus, the surah concluded with what it began with, of mercy for His allies, and affection for His chosen ones, and blessing for those who came after them from His enemies, after the mercy for the two groups in this book as a glad tidings and a warning. So mercy descended upon His allies, and it was removed from His enemies, and Allah is the Grantor of success.