Tafsir of Al-Burooj 85:8

Al-Buruj (The Constellations): Verse 8

وما نقموا منهم...

Meaning: And what did they resent/blame them for? They did not find fault with them, nor did they disapprove of their faith. This is like the saying:

This is analogous to the Almighty's saying: {Do you resent us except because we believed in Allah?} (Al-Ma'idah: 59).

The verse states: {إلا أن يؤمنوا} (except that they believe) because the torment was inflicted upon them specifically for their belief in the future. If they were to disbelieve in the future, they would not be punished for what has passed. It is as if it is said: "Except that they persist in their faith."

Abu Haywah recited {نَقِمُوا} (naqimū) with a kasra (short 'i'), but the more eloquent reading is with a fath (short 'a').

Furthermore, He mentioned the attributes by which the Deity deserves to be believed in and worshipped:

1. Al-Aziz (The Mighty/Invincible): He is the Capable One who cannot be overcome, and the Dominant One whom no one can repel. In summary, this points to Perfect Power.
2. Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy): He is the One who deserves praise and commendation on the tongues of His believing servants, even if some things do not praise Him verbally. His very essence testifies that the truly Praiseworthy One is He, as He says: {And there is not a thing except that it exalts [sabbaha] with praise of Him} (Al-Isra: 44). This points to Perfect Knowledge, because one who does not know the consequences of things cannot perform praiseworthy actions. Thus, Al-Hamid indicates complete knowledge from this perspective.
3. The One to Whom belongs the Sovereignty of the Heavens and the Earth: He is their Owner and Sustainer. If He willed, He could annihilate them. This points to Perfect Dominion.

This attribute (Sovereignty) was mentioned after the first two because perfect dominion is only achieved when perfection in power and knowledge is attained.

Therefore, it is established that the One described with these attributes is the only one deserving of belief, and no other deserves it whatsoever. How then can the judgment of those ignorant disbelievers consider this faith a sin?

Know that the Almighty, by mentioning {Al-Aziz}, indicated that if He had willed, He could have prevented those tyrants from tormenting those believers, extinguished their fires, and caused them to die.

By mentioning {Al-Hamid}, He indicated that what is considered by Him, Glorified and Exalted, in actions are their ultimate consequences. Thus, although He granted respite, He did not neglect them. For He will deliver the reward of those believers to them and the punishment of those disbelievers to them. However, the Almighty did not deal with them immediately because He only acts according to His Will or what serves the greater good, as an act of grace. For this reason, He said: {And Allah is a Witness over all things}. This is a great promise for the obedient and a severe warning for the criminals.

{إن الذين فتنوا المؤمنين والمؤمنات ثم لم يتوبوا فلهم عذاب جهنم ولهم عذاب الحريق}

{Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then have not repented, for them will be the punishment of Hell, and for them will be the punishment of the Burning.}