Surah An-Nazi'at: (25) So Allah seized him with a punishing grip...

Issue 1: Grammatical Analysis of Nikal (نكال)

There are two views regarding the grammatical case (nasb) of nikāl (نكال):

1. Al-Zajjaj's View: It is an emphatic verbal noun (maṣdar mu'akkid). The meaning of "Allah seized him" (akhadhahu Allah) is equivalent to "Allah punished him with a punishment" (nakkala Allahu bihi, nikāl), referring to the punishment of the Hereafter and the first instance (of punishment/seizure). This is because seizing (akhdh) and punishing (tankīl) are close in meaning, similar to saying "I left him with a severe leaving" (ad'uhu tarkan shadīdan), where ad'uhu and atrukuhu mean the same. This is analogous to the verse: {Indeed, His taking is painful and severe} (Hud: 102).
2. Al-Farra's View: It means Allah seized him with a seizure that serves as a punishment (nikālan) for both the Hereafter and the first (instance/world). Nikal here functions like salām (peace) functioning as taslīm (submission/greeting).

Issue 2: Interpretation of "The Punishment of the Hereafter and the First" (نكال الآخرة والأولى)

Exegetes have mentioned several interpretations for this phrase:

1. The Two Statements of Pharaoh: The Hereafter and the First refer to two statements made by Pharaoh:
   • His first statement: {I know not for you any god other than me} (Al-Qasas: 38).
   • His second statement: {I am your Lord, the Most High} (An-Nazi'at: 24).
   • It is reported that forty years elapsed between these two statements. This is the view of Mujahid, Al-Sha'bi, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Muqatil, and a narration from 'Ata' and Al-Kalbī from Ibn 'Abbas. The purpose is to indicate that Allah did not seize him immediately after his first claim but gave him respite for forty years. When he uttered the second claim, Allah seized him. This serves as a reminder that Allah grants respite but does not neglect (his actions).

2. Punishment in Both Worlds: This is the view of Al-Hasan and Qatadah: {The punishment of the Hereafter and the First} means He punished him in the Hereafter, and He drowned him in this world (the first/initial punishment).

3. The Two Acts of Disobedience:
   • The "Hereafter" (al-ākhirah) refers to his statement: {I am your Lord, the Most High} (An-Nazi'at: 24).
   • The "First" (al-ūlā) refers to his denial of Moses after Moses showed him the great sign.
   • Al-Qaffal considered this view the most apparent, because Allah mentions two acts of disobedience sequentially: {So he showed him the greatest sign *Then he denied and disobeyed * Then he turned his back, striving * And he gathered and proclaimed * And said, "I am your Lord, the Most High"} (An-Nazi'at: 20-24). Then Allah says: {So Allah seized him with the punishment of the Hereafter and the First}. It is clear that the intent is that He chastised him for these two matters.

Issue 3: Definition of Nikal (The Punishing Example)

Al-Layth stated that An-Nikal (the punishing example) is the name given to something made as a deterrent for others. It is that which, upon seeing it or hearing about it, one fears committing the same act that led to the punishment.

The root of the word comes from al-imtinā' (prevention/refusal). Hence, an-nukūl (refusal/recoil) from an oath. A shackle (qayd) is also called nikl because it prevents movement. Therefore, An-Nikal in the context of punishment refers to the most severe form, such that anyone who hears about it refrains from committing the same sin for which the exemplary punishment was inflicted. Customarily, it refers to something that brings disgrace upon its perpetrator and serves as a lesson for others. And Allah knows best.

! 7 < { Indeed, in that is a lesson for those who fear (Allah) } . > 7 !