Tafsir of Al-Qamar 54:43

(Are your disbelievers better than those?) Meaning, are the disbelievers who were previously mentioned—the people of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and the house of Pharaoh—better? The intended meaning of "better" refers to the worldly life and its adornments, such as an abundance of power, strength, number, and equipment; or it refers to being less stubborn in disbelief, such that the disbelievers spoken of as "better" are less obstinate and closer to obedience and submission.

It is apparent from the words of many that the address here is general, encompassing Muslims and others, as they stated: "Are your disbelievers," O company of Arabs, "better," etc. The interrogation is one of denial, carrying the meaning of negation, as if it were said: "Your disbelievers are not better than those mentioned disbelievers," in terms of having more power, strength, number, or equipment, nor are they more pliable in disbelief, disobedience, error, and tyranny. Rather, they are inferior to them in power and similar worldly adornments, or they are in a worse state regarding disbelief. Since those who were better than them were struck by what was struck, how can they hope that they will not be struck by the same?

Similarly, it is said regarding the address in the words of the Exalted: (Or do you have an immunity in the scriptures?) It is made conditional upon the estimation of "Or do your disbelievers have," which is a rhetorical diversion and transition to another point of censure. It is as if it were said: "Rather, do your disbelievers have an immunity and security from the consequences of their disbelief, sins, and the calamities thereof, in the revealed books?" For this reason, they persist in what they are upon and do not fear. Some scholars have chosen the view that this is specific to the disbelievers, and they said regarding the words of the Exalted...