Tafsir of An-Nahl 16:45-47

{أَفَأَمِنَ الَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ} Meaning: The evil plots. They are the people of Mecca, and what they plotted against the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

{فِي تَقَلُّبِهِمْ} Meaning: While they are moving about in their travels, their trade, and their worldly affairs.

{عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ} Meaning: While they are in a state of fear. This means that He destroys a people before them, so they become fearful, and then He seizes them with punishment while they are in that state of fear and expectation. This is the opposite of His saying: {from where they do not perceive}.

It is also said: It is derived from your saying "takhawwafat-hu" (it diminished it) and "takhawwanat-hu," meaning when it reduces it. Zuhayr said: The saddle-frame diminishes its hump, piece by piece, Just as the carpenter’s plane diminishes the wood of the Nab‘ tree. Meaning: He seizes them by diminishing them, bit by bit, in their persons and their wealth, until they are destroyed.

It is narrated from ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said from the pulpit: "What do you say about this [word]?" They remained silent. An old man from Hudhayl stood up and said: "This is our dialect; at-takhawwuf is at-tanaqqus (diminishment)." He asked: "Do the Arabs know this in their poetry?" He replied: "Yes, our poet said..." and he recited the verse. ‘Umar then said: "O people, hold fast to your diwan (collection of poetry), lest you go astray." They asked: "What is our diwan?" He replied: "The poetry of the Jahiliyyah, for in it is the explanation of your Book."

{فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ} Meaning: In that He is forbearing toward you and does not hasten [the punishment] against you, despite your deserving it.

{أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ يَتَفَيَّأُ ظِلَالُهُ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ سُجَّدًا لِّلَّهِ وَهُمْ دَاخِرُونَ}