Tafsir of Al-Hijr 15:24

Ibn Abi Hatim and others narrated from Ibn Abbas [that this is the meaning]. In another narration from him: "The preceding ones are Adam (peace be upon him) and those who have passed on from his progeny, and the succeeding ones are those who are [still] in the loins of men." A similar view is narrated from Qatadah and Mujahid: "The preceding ones are the nations that have passed, and the succeeding ones are the nation of Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention and grant him peace)."

It is also said: "Those who preceded in birth and death, and those who lagged behind in the same manner, absolutely." This is highly appropriate. It is narrated from al-Hasan that he said: "Those who preceded in obedience and those who lagged behind in it."

Mu‘tamir narrated that he said: "It reached us that the verse is regarding combat," but then I spoke to my father, and he said: "It was revealed before combat was ordained." Based on this, interpreting the struggle (Jihad) as being within the generality of obedience is baseless, especially since interpreting it as the preceding and succeeding ones in that [context] lacks complete relevance. The intent behind the Exalted’s knowledge of them is His (Glorified be He) knowledge of their conditions. The verse serves to clarify the perfection of His knowledge (Majestic and Exalted is He) after establishing evidence for the perfection of His power; for what indicates one necessarily indicates the other, as He who is capable of everything must necessarily possess knowledge of what He creates. The repetition of His saying, "And We have already known," contains an unmistakable indication of emphasis.

Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim—who graded it authentic—, al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan, and others narrated via the path of Abu al-Jawza’ from Ibn Abbas, who said: "A woman used to pray behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah exalt his mention and grant him peace). She was beautiful, one of the most beautiful of people. Some men would move forward to the first row so they would not see her, and others would move back to the last row, and when they bowed, they would look from underneath their armpits. Thus, Allah (Exalted be He) revealed this verse."

‘Abd al-Razzaq and Ibn al-Mundhir narrated from Abu al-Jawza’ that he said regarding the verse: "We have known the preceding ones among you in the rows of prayer," and he did not mention the hadith about the woman. Al-Tirmidhi said: "This is more likely to be the more authentic [version]."

Al-Rabi‘ ibn Anas said: "The Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and grant him peace) encouraged [the people] regarding the first row in prayer, and people crowded into it. The Banu ‘Udhrah had homes far from the mosque, and they said: 'Let us sell our homes and buy homes close to the mosque.' Thus, Allah (Exalted be He) revealed the verse."

You know that the lesson is in the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the cause. Hence, some said: "It is better to interpret it in its general sense," meaning: We have known everyone who has been characterized by precedence or delay in birth, death, Islam, rows of prayer, and other than that.