Al-Ahqaf: (3) "We did not create the heavens..."

"We did not create the heavens and the earth"—including all that is within them, in terms of the particulars therein and the stability therein—"and what is between them"—of created beings—"except with the truth." This is an istithna’ mufragh (a hollow exception) from the most general category of objects; that is, We did not create them except through a creation associated with the truth, which is required by the wisdom of creation and legislation. In this, there is an indication—which is not hidden—of the existence of the Maker, the attributes of His perfection, the foundation of His actions upon profound wisdoms, and their culmination in glorious ends.

It is also permitted that it be an istithna’ mufragh from the most general state related to the subject of "We created" or its object; that is, We did not create them in any state except in the state of being associated with the truth, or in the state of their being associated with it.

"And an appointed term" is a conjunction to "the truth," with the estimation of a genitive (i.e., and with the estimation of an appointed term). It is estimated thus because creation is associated with the truth, not with the term itself. The intent behind this "appointed term," as Ibn Abbas said, is the Day of Resurrection, for the affairs of all things end there; the earth will be changed to another earth, as will the heavens, and they will appear before Allah, the One, the Irresistible. It is also said that it refers to the duration of existence decreed for each individual. The first interpretation is supported by His saying—Exalted is He—"But those who disbelieve are turning away from that whereof they are warned."

That is, they are warned of the Day of Resurrection and the complete calamity and universal terrors therein, not merely the end of their lifespans. It is also permitted that "Ma" is a verbal particle (masdariyyah), meaning "turning away from the warning of that time," with the verbal noun attributed to its first object, which stands in the place of the subject. The sentence is a circumstantial clause; that is, We did not create the creation except with the truth and the estimation of the term at which they will be recompensed, while they are disbelieving in it, turning away from it, and not deeming its arrival to be far off.