They have preceded, they have escaped and evaded being caught. Indeed, they cannot be made incapable. They do not escape, nor do their pursuers find themselves unable to reach them. It has been recited: 'they cannot be made incapable,' with emphasis. Ibn Muhaisn recited: 'they cannot be made incapable,' with a broken noon. Al-A'mash recited: 'And do not think that those who disbelieved,' with a broken baa and with an opened one, omitting the light noon. Hamzah recited: 'And let not those who disbelieved think,' with a ya, indicating that the action is for those who disbelieved. It has been said that its origin is 'that they have preceded,' and 'that' was omitted, as in His saying: 'And of His signs is that He shows you the lightning.' This is supported by the recitation of Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him: 'that they have preceded.' It has also been said: the action is on 'they cannot be made incapable,' with 'not' being a connecting particle, and 'preceded' is in the state of being, meaning preceding, that is, escaping and fleeing. It has been said that its meaning is: 'And let not those who disbelieved think that they have preceded,' so the pronoun was omitted because it is understood. It has also been said: 'And let not the believers think that those who disbelieved have preceded.' All these statements are strained, and this recitation which Hamzah uniquely has is clear. And from Al-Zuhri, it is said that it was revealed regarding those who escaped from the polytheists.