They plotted evil, meaning the evil plots, and they are the people of Mecca. And what they plotted against the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him. In their turning, they are turning in their paths, their trades, and the means of their worldly affairs, in a state of fear. They fear that a people before them were destroyed, so they fear that they will be taken by punishment while they are in fear and anticipation. This is contrary to the saying, 'from where they do not perceive.' It is said that it is from the saying: 'I feared him' and 'I was cautious of him,' if I diminished him. Zuhair said: 'The caravan feared from it a high one, just as the ship fears the branch of the naba.' This is attributed to Abu Kabir al-Hudhali. It was said to Zuhair. And 'fear' means to diminish something little by little. 'The high one' refers to the elevated hump. 'The one eaten by the lice' is the one that has been worn out from much traveling, or the one that has been punctured and spoiled from the burden in travel. 'The naba' is one of the springs, which is a tree from which bows are made. It is narrated: 'The branch of the naba.' 'The ship' is the iron tool used to carve wood. He says: 'The hump of its saddle diminishes as it is punctured from much travel, just as the tool diminishes the branch of the naba.' In it is a comparison of it in solidity. It is narrated that Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said on the pulpit: 'What do you say about the saying of Allah, the Exalted,