Tafsir of Al-Baqarah 2:214

"Or do you think..."

"Am" (Or): It is munqati'ah (disjunctive). The meaning of the hamza within it is for taqrir (affirmation/confirmation) and for denying and deeming the assumption (of the disbelievers) as unlikely.

Having mentioned the state of the nations—their disagreement regarding the prophets after the clear proofs had come to them—God addresses the Messenger of God (ﷺ) and the believers to encourage them toward steadfastness and patience in the face of those who opposed him among the polytheists and the People of the Book, and their denial of his signs and their enmity toward him. He speaks to them using the method of iltifat (shifting of address), which is more eloquent.

"Do you think..."

"Lamma" (When): It carries the meaning of expectation. In the negative, it is the counterpart to qad in the affirmative. The meaning is that the arrival of that (the trial) is expected and awaited.

"...the likeness of those who passed on before you?"

This refers to their state, which serves as a likeness in severity.

"They were touched by..."

This is an explanation of the "likeness." It is an isti'naf (a new sentence), as if someone asked: "How was that likeness?" So it was said: "They were touched by poverty and hardship."

"...and they were shaken..."

They were disturbed with a severe disturbance, similar to an earthquake, due to the terrors and fears that befell them.

"...until the Messenger says..."

This refers to the limit at which the Messenger and those with him reached.

"...'When is the help of God?'"

Meaning: Distress reached them, and no patience remained for them, until they said that. Its meaning is a request for patience, a longing for it, and a feeling that the time of hardship has been too long.

This limit is proof of the extremity of the matter in its severity and its persistence in greatness, for the steadfastness, patience, and self-control of the Messengers cannot be measured. If no patience remained for them until they cried out, then that is the ultimate limit of severity, beyond which there is no further reach.

"Unquestionably, the help of God is near."

This is based on the implied meaning of "it was said." Meaning: It was said to them in response to their request for immediate help.

Recitations:

• "Hatta yaqula" (until the Messenger says): With a fatha (nasb) on the lam, implying an omitted an (to), indicating the future, as an is a marker for it.
• "Hatta yaqulu" (until the Messenger says): With a damma (raf') on the lam, as it carries the meaning of a state (hal), like your saying: "The camels drank until the camel comes dragging its belly." However, it is a past state being narrated.

"They ask you what they should spend. Say, 'Whatever you spend of good is for parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, and the traveler. And whatever you do of good, indeed God is Knowing of it.'" (215)