Al-Inshiqaq: (20) "So what is [the matter] with them that they do not believe..."

The fa (so) in His saying, "So what is [the matter] with them that they do not believe," may be interpreted as establishing the consequence of what follows—namely, the denial and astonishment—based upon what preceded it regarding the states and terrors of the Day of Resurrection, as indicated by His saying, "You shall surely experience state after state," according to certain interpretations that necessitate belief and prostration. If their state on the Day of Resurrection is as indicated, then what is the matter with them in their state of non-belief? That is, what prevents them from believing in Allah, the Exalted, His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and all that is mandatory to believe in, given the reinforcing factors of the terrors that await those who abandon it on that day?

It may also be interpreted as establishing this as a consequence of what was mentioned regarding the sublime status of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—as indicated by His saying, "You shall surely experience state after state," according to other interpretations mentioned previously. That is, if his state and status—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is what has been indicated, then what prevents them from believing in him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace?

It may also be interpreted as establishing this as a consequence of what is contained in His saying, "So I swear by the twilight," which indicates the validity of the Resurrection through celestial and terrestrial changes that demonstrate the perfection of [Divine] Power; this is the position held by the Imam. That is, if His affair—Exalted is His affair—is as indicated, in terms of His being possessed of absolute power and vast knowledge, then what prevents them from the belief that is among the totalities of possibilities encompassed by His power—Mighty and Majestic is He—and surrounded by His knowledge—Majestic is His Glory?