Al-Naba: (30) So taste, for We will never increase you...

Know that when the Almighty first explained the states of punishment, then claimed it to be a {fitting recompense} (Al-Naba: 26), and then detailed their ugly deeds, and the truth of what He initially claimed—that this punishment was a {fitting recompense}—became clear, He returned to mention the punishment, saying: {So taste}. The Fa' (so/then) here is for consequence (Jaza'). Thus, it indicates that the command to "taste" is necessitated by what was previously explained of their ugly deeds. This Fa' conveys the very meaning of {fitting recompense}.

This verse indicates the exaggeration of torment in several ways:

1. His saying: {for We will never increase you}: The particle Lan (never) emphasizes the negation.
2. In His saying about them: {They did not expect an account} (Al-Naba: 27), He addressed them in the third person (absentia). Here, in {So taste}, He addresses them directly (face-to-face). This indicates the utmost degree of wrath.
3. The Almighty enumerated the types of punishment, then judged that it was a recompense matching their deeds, then enumerated their disgraces, and then said: {So taste}. It is as if the Almighty issued a ruling (Fatwa) and presented the proofs, then repeated that very ruling. This indicates the exaggeration of torment. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (This verse is the most severe in the Qur'an against the people of the Fire. Whenever they seek relief from one type of torment, they are met with something more severe.)

Two questions remain regarding the verse:

Did the Almighty not describe the disbelievers by saying: {And Allah will neither speak to them nor look at them} (Al 'Imran: 77)? So, when He says to them: {So taste}, has He not spoken to them?

Answer: Most commentators say the implied meaning of the verse is: It will be said to them: So taste. One might argue that in this context, it is not appropriate for the speaker to say: {for We will never increase you except in torment}, as this speech is only fitting for Allah. The closer answer is to say that His statement {And Allah will neither speak to them} means He will not speak to them with pleasant or beneficial speech. Restricting the general meaning is not far-fetched, especially when there is an accompanying context (Qarina). His statement {And Allah will neither speak to them} was mentioned to clarify that the Almighty will not benefit them nor grant them any consideration, and this is only achieved by pleasant speech.

This verse indicates that the Almighty will perpetually increase the torment of the disbeliever. This increase must either be deserved or undeserved.

• If it was deserved, then withholding it initially was a grace. When a generous person waives a right belonging to himself, it is not fitting for him to reclaim it afterward.
• If that increase was undeserved, then inflicting it upon them would be an injustice, which is impossible for Allah.

Answer: Just as a thing exerts an effect according to the specific nature of its essence, so too, when it endures, its effect increases according to that duration. Therefore, the longer the duration, the greater the pain. Furthermore, that increase is deserved, and withholding it at certain times does not necessitate its cancellation or waiver. Allah knows what He intends.

Know that when the Almighty mentioned the warning for the disbelievers, He followed it with the promise for the righteous, which is: