Then he followed it - after presenting what is needed for it according to the arrangement that has been previously indicated - with a detailed account of what each nation uniquely faced in terms of the punishment that occurred in accordance with the truth. He followed that with another summary that is simpler than the first, in a strange manner indicating his continuous custom and established tradition in explaining the condition of these nations that he mentioned and others; so that it should not be thought that the condition of others was different from their condition. He clarified that all are on a single path and that the reason for their eradication is one, which is the denial and arrogance towards the truth. This summary serves as general principles and universal rules that apply to the particulars. This insight into what may be beneficial or harmful and the avoidance of being deceived by the conditions of the wicked who are led astray is a source of consolation for his Prophet [blessings and peace be upon him] and a source of comfort. It precedes the story of Musa and Harun, peace be upon them, due to its length and the urgency of what is in it from the fates of warning by His saying, 'And what' meaning: We sent so-and-so and he was like this, and so-and-so and he was like that, and what 'We sent' meaning: by virtue of our greatness,

'In a village' meaning: from the villages of those and others,

'From a prophet' meaning: from the prophets who preceded you, 'except' what we inform you of regarding their intimidation by our might, which is that we 'took' meaning: by our greatness,

'Its people' meaning: a taking of overpowering and might, meaning: due to their arrogance against the truth,

'With adversity' meaning: the oppression of men, 'and affliction' meaning: sickness and poverty,

'Perhaps they may humble themselves' meaning: so that their condition at the time of distress is like that of one whose humility is hoped for and who submits and bows to one who no one else can relieve him from it, even if the humility is at the lowest levels - as indicated by the merging - for that is sufficient in saving from the punishment of warning, which this surah addresses, unlike what has been mentioned in Al-An'am.