Tafsir of Al-Inshiqaq 84:6

"O mankind, indeed you are exerting effort"—that is, striving and laboring intensely in your deeds, whether good or evil—"toward your Lord"—that is, throughout the duration of your life, until the meeting with your Lord, meaning death and the states that follow it, which are represented by the "meeting."

Kadḥ (exertion) is the straining of the soul in work until it leaves an effect upon it, derived from the expression "He scratched his skin" (madḥa jildahu) if he tore it. Ibn Muqbil said: "And time is but two turns..." And another said: "The brightness of every good life has passed, and I have remained toiling for life and suffering hardship."

"And will meet Him"—that is, you will meet Him following that, inevitably, with nothing to divert you from it. The pronoun refers to Him, the Almighty and Majestic—that is, you shall encounter His recompense. It is also said that it refers to the kadḥ (exertion)—that is, you shall encounter the recompense of your exertion; this is emphasized in a manner similar to: "They are only your deeds which are returned to you."

The apparent meaning is that "will meet Him" is conjoined to "exerting effort" according to both opinions. Ibn Atiyyah said, after mentioning the second view: "Then you will find Him." According to this, it is a conjunction of one clause to the preceding one, and the implication is: "And you will meet Him." However, the reason for this specific interpretation is not apparent.

The intent by "mankind" is the human species, as is indicated by the subsequent categorization. Muqatil said: The intent is Al-Aswad ibn Hilal al-Makhzumi, who argued with his brother, Abu Salamah, regarding the matter of resurrection. Abu Salamah said, "By the One who created you, you shall surely traverse state after state and ascend the obstacle." Al-Aswad replied, "Where, then, are the earth and the heavens, and what will become of the people?" It is as if he meant that it was revealed concerning him, though it generally applies to the entire species.

It is said that the intent is Ubayy ibn Khalaf, who used to toil in pursuit of worldly matters, in harming the Messenger (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and in persisting in disbelief. Perhaps the proponent of this view intended that as well. It is an extreme stretch for one to claim it refers to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), based on the meaning that "you are toiling in conveying the messages of Allah and guiding His servants, and enduring harm from the disbelievers, so receive glad tidings that you shall meet Allah, the Exalted, with this deed, and it shall not be lost with Him."

The response to "when" is said to be His saying, the Exalted...