Or is it disconnected? The meaning of the hamzah [[His saying "Or is it disconnected? And the meaning of the hamzah" explains the meaning of 'but' and the hamzah. (A)]] in it is for affirmation and denial of the assumption and its improbability. And when he mentioned what the nations were like in their differences with the prophets after the clear signs came—encouraging the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, and the believers to remain steadfast and patient with those who differed with him from the polytheists and the People of the Book, and their denial of his signs and enmity towards him—he said to them in a manner of turning that is more eloquent: Or do you think? And 'when' in it has the meaning of expectation, and it is in negation similar to ' قد' in affirmation. The meaning is that the coming of that is expected and awaited. The example of those who have passed is their condition, which is a parable in severity. And 'they were touched' is an explanation of the example and is an independent statement, as if someone said: How was that example? It was said: They were touched by hardship and were shaken and disturbed with a severe disturbance similar to the shaking caused by the horrors and terrors that afflicted them until the Messenger said to the extent that the Messenger and those with him said: When will the help of Allah come? This means they reached a point of annoyance and had no patience left until they said that. Its meaning is a request for patience and a wish for the prolongation of the time of witnessing. In this extent, there is evidence of the culmination of the matter in severity and its continuation in greatness, for the messengers cannot be measured by the extent of their steadfastness, patience, and self-control. So if they had no patience left until they complained, that was the utmost in severity beyond which there is no hope. Indeed, the help of Allah is near, meaning it was said to them in response to their request for immediate help. And it was recited (until he says) in the accusative, implying 'that' and the meaning of the future because 'that' is known to him. And in the nominative, it is in the meaning of the state, like saying: I drank the camels until the camel comes dragging its belly, except that it is a past state reported.