And when the believers now wish to experience some humiliation in this world, because the souls of humans are inclined to haste, He gave them glad tidings of that in a way that includes the punishment of the grave. He said, affirming [it] for what they have of denial of the punishment of what comes after death and of being afflicted in this world by their multitude and strength: "And We will surely make them taste" meaning all of them directly and indirectly, by that which we have of greatness that their multitude and strength diminish before. "Of the lesser punishment" meaning before the Day of Resurrection, by your hands and others. And Allah's statement has been true, and they were at the time of the revelation of this Surah in the honorable Makkah in the utmost of abundance and blessings. So He made them taste drought for consecutive years, and He divided their unity and killed them and captured them by the hands of the believers, among other things by what He willed, glorified and exalted is He. Then He affirmed the will for what is before the Hereafter and established it with His saying, expressing in a way suitable for the otherness and humility: "Less than the greater punishment" meaning that which has been mentioned in the Hereafter. "Perhaps they will return" meaning that their state may be like that of one whose return from his sin is hoped for by one who observes him. And that was the case; many of them returned out of fear of the sword. So when they saw the beauties of Islam, they were among the most eager of people for it and had love for it.