Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:66

The pronoun refers to the Quraysh, and "that it should come upon them" (an ta'tiyahum) is a substitute (badal) for "the Hour" (as-sa'ah). The exception is mufarragh (an incomplete exception where the exception-maker is not mentioned). It is permitted to consider illa in the sense of ghayr (other than). The interrogation is for the purpose of denial (inkar), and "awaiting" (yanzurun) means expecting (yantazirun); i.e., they are not expecting anything except the arrival of the Hour suddenly while they are heedless of it. In this, there is mockery of them, for the arrival of the Hour is treated as something expected, which must inevitably occur.

Since it is possible for suddenness and perception to coexist, it was necessary to qualify that with His saying—exalted be He—"while they perceive not," for the first (the mention of suddenness) does not render the second superfluous; thus, there is no need for clarification (istidrak).

It is said: It is permissible that "while they perceive not" be intended as an affirmation, because the speech occurs in the context of denial; as if it were said: Do they claim it will come to them suddenly while they perceive not? Meaning: That will not be the case; rather, it will come to them while they are alert. There is a critique regarding this view.

It is said: The pronoun in "they are awaiting" refers to "those who have done wrong." And it is said: It refers to people generally. This is supported by what Ibn Mardawayh recorded from Abu Sa‘id, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The Hour will be established while two men are milking a ewe, and two men are folding a garment." Then, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited: "Are they awaiting anything except the Hour that it should come upon them suddenly, while they perceive not?"