She has rebelled against the command of her Lord. She turned away from it in a manner of defiance and obstinacy. A severe reckoning with thorough scrutiny and discussion. A dreadful punishment. It has been read: 'nukran' or 'nukra' which means a great denial. The intended meaning is the reckoning of the Hereafter and its punishment, what they will taste of the consequences and what they will face of loss. It has been brought in the past tense, like His saying: 'And the companions of Paradise called out' and 'And the companions of the Fire called out' and similar phrases. This is because what is awaited from the promise of Allah and His warning is truly destined, and what is to be is as if it has already happened. And His saying: 'Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment' is a repetition of the warning and an indication of its anticipation. It is as if He said: Allah has prepared this punishment for them, so let this be for you, O people of understanding, from the believers, a kindness in fearing Allah and cautioning against His punishment. It is possible that the meaning refers to the counting of sins, their thorough examination upon them in this world, and their documentation in the records of the guardians. And what they have suffered of punishment in this life. And that 'she has rebelled' and what follows it is a description of the town. And Allah has prepared for them is a response to 'What is a messenger?' He is Gabriel, blessings of Allah be upon him. It has been substituted from 'dhikra' because he is described by reciting the verses of Allah, so his descent is in the meaning of the descent of the remembrance. Allah, glorified and exalted is He, knows best. It is valid to substitute it. Or the remembrance refers to honor, from His saying: 'And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people.' So it has been substituted from it, as if it is in itself an honor: either because it is an honor for the one to whom it was revealed, or because it has glory and honor with Allah, as in His saying: 'Near the Owner of the Throne, established.' Or it is made for the abundance of His mention and worship, as if it is a remembrance. Or it is intended: 'a remembered one,' meaning a mentioned kingdom in the heavens and among all nations. Or His saying: 'Allah has sent down to you a remembrance' indicates: He has sent, as if it were said: He sent a messenger, or He made a remembrance in a messenger, applying the source to the objects, meaning: Allah sent down that He mentioned a messenger or mentioned him as a messenger. And it has been read: 'a messenger,' meaning: he is a messenger. He sent him to bring out those who believed after his descent, meaning: to grant them what they are currently upon of faith and righteous deeds, for they were not believers at the time of his descent, but they believed after the descent and the conveying. Or to bring out those known to believe among them. It has been read: 'to admit him,' with the pronoun and the 'n.' 'Certainly, Allah has granted him provision' contains the meaning of amazement and glorification, for what the believer has been granted of reward.