Tafsir of Maryam 19:75

"Say: Whoever is in error, let the Most Gracious extend to him a long extension."

"Let the Most Gracious extend to him" means: He grants him respite and lengthens his lifespan. It is phrased in the imperative mood to signal that this is inevitable and must occur—as if it were a command being carried out—so that the excuses of the misguided are severed. It is said to them on the Day of Resurrection: "Did We not grant you lives long enough for whoever would remember to remember?" (Fatir: 37), or as in His saying: "We only grant them respite that they may increase in sin" (Al 'Imran: 178). Or, it is like saying: "Whoever is in error, may the Most Gracious extend to him a long extension," in the sense of a supplication that God grants him respite and expands the duration of his life.

There are two interpretations for this verse:

The First: That it is connected to the verse preceding the four verses that intervene between them. That is, they said: "Which of the two parties is better in position and better in company?" (Maryam: 73). Then: "Until, when they see that which they are promised" (Maryam: 75)—meaning they will not cease saying this and obsessing over it, never desisting until they witness what was promised with their own eyes: either the punishment in this world—which is the victory of the Muslims over them through killing and captivity, and God manifesting His religion over all religions at their hands—or the Day of Resurrection and the disgrace and torment they will receive. At that moment of witnessing, they will know that the matter is the opposite of what they had estimated: that they are the worst in position and the weakest in forces, not the best in position and company, and that the believers are the opposite of how they described them.

The Second: That it connects to what follows it. The meaning is that those who are in error are granted an extension in their error, and abandonment is attached to them because of God’s knowledge of them and that divine favors do not benefit them, as they are not among those worthy of them. "Error" here refers to what their ignorance and extremism in disbelief led them to say. They will not cease in their error until they witness God’s victory for the believers or behold the Hour and its precursors.

If you ask: What is the nature of this "until" (hatta)? I say: It is the one after which sentences are narrated. Do you not see the conditional sentence occurring after it, which is His saying: "If they see that which they are promised"?

"Then they will know who is worse in position and weaker in forces" is in contrast to "better in position and better in company." Their "position" (maqam) is their place and dwelling. The "company" (nadi) is the assembly that gathers the notables of their people, their helpers, and their supporters. The "forces" (jund) are their supporters and helpers.

"And God increases those who are guided in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for return."