And when that was based on the estimation of their submission, it does not benefit them because the recompense of punishment is upon their determination to persist in obstinacy throughout the ages. The one among them who affirms this is engrossed in corruption. He answered them according to their intention in counting them with a valid and truthful expression regarding the duration of their stay, whether long or short, by saying, in a manner of resuming for those who longed to know their response: ﴿He said﴾ meaning Allah according to the reading of the majority. The reading of Hamzah and al-Kisai clarified that attributing the saying to Him, glorified and exalted is He, is a metaphor for the words of some of His great servants. He said, in the manner of the first: 'Say' meaning to those who have turned away from them ﴿If﴾ meaning what ﴿you stayed﴾ meaning in the world ﴿except for a little﴾ meaning it is of such little duration that it cannot be named, rather it is nonexistence. ﴿If only you had known﴾ meaning a being that is like the nature ﴿you would have known﴾ meaning among those who know at that time, for what you preferred the transient over the everlasting. You would have turned to what benefits you and left the frivolity that no sane person would approve of. And there would be no estimation of approval for acting upon it except after completing the important matters. However, you were among the animals. In that is a reminder for the believers who are the inheritors, to be grateful for what He has granted them of joy in the destruction of their enemies and inheriting their land and homes, along with their honor and blessings in their lifespans, after relieving them from them in this world, then by continuing their happiness in the Hereafter and the misery of their enemies.