Al-Balad (5): Does he think that no one will...

The pronoun in His saying—Exalted is He—"Does he think" (ayahsabu) refers, based on what the context indicates, to the one who experiences the hardships that the Prophet—may Allah exalt him and grant him peace—was enduring from the disbelievers of Quraysh, and who violates the sanctity of the Sacred House and the sanctity of the Prophet—upon him be prayer and peace. Thus, the threat is directed at those who deserve it.

It is also said that it refers specifically to an individual, namely Abu al-Ashadd, Asid ibn Kaladah al-Jumahi. He was exceptionally powerful and deluded by his strength; he would have an 'Ukazi leather hide spread out, stand upon it, and say, "Whoever can pull me off this shall have such-and-such." Ten men would pull it, and it would tear to pieces while he remained standing where his feet were. Others have said it refers to ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd Wudd, or al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah, or Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, or al-Harith ibn ‘Amir ibn Nawfal ibn ‘Abd Manaf. It is possible that each of these individuals is a reason for the revelation, so do not neglect this.

‘Isam al-Din considered the interrogative to be for the purpose of expressing astonishment, meaning: "Does he think that no one will have power over him?"—that is, to take vengeance upon him and recompense him for what he is doing—even though he cannot escape the suffering and the enduring of hardships. The an (in an lan) is the lightened form of the heavy anna. Perhaps this incorporates the lack of belief in the Resurrection.