Al-Isra: (58) And there is no town...

Know that when the Almighty said: {Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is that to which one must be wary} (Al-Isra: 57), He clarified that every town and its people must ultimately revert to one of two states: either destruction or torment.

Muqatil said: As for the righteous town, it is through death, and as for the wicked town, it is through torment.

It is also said that what is meant by {And there is no town} are the towns of the disbelievers. Their end must be one of two things: either complete annihilation, which is meant by destruction, or a severe torment short of that, such as the killing of their leaders, the Muslims being given power over them for captivity, the seizure of wealth, and the imposition of the jizya (poll tax).

Then the Almighty clarified that this decree is a confirmed and established ruling, saying: {it was in the Book decreed}. Its meaning is clear.

(7) {And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former people denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.}

{And [mention] when We said to you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the vision which We showed you except as a trial for the people, and [similarly] the cursed tree in the Qur'an. And We warn them, but it increases them only in great transgression.}

Exegesis:

The verse explains why signs (miracles) are withheld after the denial of previous nations.

1. Denial of Former Peoples: Nothing prevents God from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. This implies that sending signs is contingent upon the people's readiness to accept them or the wisdom of withholding them due to prior experience.

2. The Case of Thamud: {And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign, but they wronged her.} They were given a manifest sign (the she-camel), yet they acted unjustly towards it (by slaughtering it).

3. Purpose of Signs: {And We send not the signs except as a warning.} Signs are sent primarily to warn people, not merely to satisfy curiosity or compel belief against free will.

4. God's Omniscience and the Vision: {And [mention] when We said to you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people."} This means God's knowledge and power encompass all people; nothing escapes His awareness.

5. The Vision as a Trial: {And We did not make the vision which We showed you except as a trial for the people...} The vision shown to the Prophet (PBUH) (often interpreted as the Night Journey and Ascension, Isra' and Mi'raj) was intended as a test (fitnah) for the people. Some believed, and some disbelieved, thereby revealing their true nature.

6. The Cursed Tree: {...and [similarly] the cursed tree in the Qur'an.} This refers to the tree of Zaqqum mentioned in the Qur'an (e.g., Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:52), which is a trial for those who deny the Hereafter, as it is a description of the food of Hellfire.

7. The Result of Warning: {And We warn them, but it increases them only in great transgression.} Despite the warnings and signs, the obstinate disbelievers only become more defiant and rebellious.