What is before him: what was revealed before the Qur'an from the Books of Allah. It is narrated that the disbelievers of Mecca asked the People of the Book, and they informed them that they find the description of the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, in their books. This angered them, and they associated all that preceded the Qur'an from the Books of Allah, the Exalted, with disbelief. So they disbelieved in all of it. It was said: what is before him on the Day of Resurrection. The meaning is that they denied that the Qur'an is from Allah, the Exalted, and that what it indicates regarding the resurrection for recompense is true. Then he informed about the outcome of their affair and their end in the Hereafter, saying to his Messenger, may peace and blessings be upon him, or to the addressee: If only you could see in the Hereafter their position as they engage in conversation and exchange it among themselves, you would see something astonishing. The phrase 'you would see something astonishing' might imply amazement, as stated by Al-Nasafi. The answer was omitted. The weak ones are the followers, and the arrogant ones are the leaders and the prominent.