Az-Zumar: (39) Say, "O my people..."

"Say, 'O my people, act according to your position'"—that is, according to your state upon which you are established in terms of enmity, in which you have firmly entrenched yourselves. The word makanah (position) has been transferred from a physical space to the state a person is in; it is a metaphorical application of the sensory to the intelligible. This is similar to how "where" is metaphorically applied to time, based on the commonality of comprehensiveness and encompassing. It is also permissible that the meaning is: "Act according to your ability and capacity."

It is narrated from 'Asim: makanatikum (in the plural). The command is intended as a threat. His saying, "Indeed, I am acting," is a warning to them. Its usage is absolute to intensify the threat; for had it been said, "according to my position (makanati)," it might have appeared that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was upon a single state that neither changes nor increases. When it was left absolute, it indicated that for him (peace and blessings be upon him), every moment holds a different position, and that he will continue to increase in strength through the victory and support of Allah the Exalted. This is supported by His saying: "For you will come to know."

It is indicative of the fact that he (peace and blessings be upon him) is victorious over them in the worldly life and the Hereafter, by evidence of the saying of the Exalted...