Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:4

{That they might outstrip Us} Meaning: that they might escape Us. It means that retribution will inevitably overtake them. They do not actually hope for escape, nor do they entertain such thoughts; however, due to their heedlessness, their lack of reflection on the consequences, and their persistence in sins, they are in the position of one who imagines and hopes for such a thing.

Its parallel is:

• "And you cannot escape [Us] upon the earth" (Al-Anfal: 59).
• "And do not think that those who disbelieved have escaped [Us]. Indeed, they cannot cause failure [to Allah]" (Al-Ankabut: 22).

If you ask: Where are the two objects of hasiba (to think/suppose)? I say: The inclusion of the silah (conjunctive clause) of an (that) containing a predicate and a subject acts as a substitute for the two objects, just as in His saying: "Or do you think that you will enter Paradise?" (Al-Baqarah: 214). It is also permissible that hasiba is implied with the meaning of qaddara (to estimate/suppose), and am (or) is munqati'ah (disjunctive).

The meaning of the idrab (disjunction) here is: this supposition is more invalid than the first supposition. For the former supposes that he will not be tested for his faith, while this one thinks that he will not be recompensed for his evil deeds.

{Evil is what they judge} Meaning: How wretched is that which they judge—this judgment of theirs. Or: How wretched a judgment is this judgment of theirs—where the makhsus bi-al-dhamm (the specific object of condemnation) is omitted.

{Whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah, then indeed the term of Allah is coming; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.}