Tafsir of As-Sajdah 32:29-30

Surah As-Sajdah: Verses (29-30)

{Say: On the Day of the Decision (Al-Fatḥ), the faith of those who disbelieved will not benefit them, nor will they be reprieved.}

This means: Their faith will not be accepted in that state (the Day of the Decision), because acceptable faith is that which occurs in the worldly abode (dār al-dunyā).

And {nor will they be reprieved} means they will not be given respite to return to the world so that they may believe and their faith be accepted.

Then, after establishing the issues and perfecting the proofs, and since it did not benefit them, He said:

{So turn away from them} (i.e., do not debate with them further), for the path after this is fighting.

And His saying: {And wait; indeed, they are waiting.} This carries several interpretations:

1. First: And wait for their destruction, for they are waiting for your destruction. In this case, there is a distinction between the two waitings: the Prophet's waiting is by the command of God after His promise, while their waiting is based on their own self-deception and reliance on Satan.
2. Second: And wait for victory from God, for they are waiting for victory from their idols. There is a distinction between these two waitings as well.
3. Third: And wait for their punishment by your hand, for they are waiting for it with their tongues, mockingly, just as they said: {Then bring us what you threaten us with} (Al-A'rāf: 70) and {When will this promise be, if you should be truthful?} (An-Naml: 71), and other similar statements.

And God knows best what is correct, and to Him is the return and the final destination. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Master of the Messengers, Muhammad, the Prophet, his family, and all his companions, and upon his pure wives, the Mothers of the Believers.