Tafsir of Al Imran 3:86-89

"How shall Allah guide a people..."

How shall He show them grace, when they are not among the people of grace? This is because Allah knew of their firm resolve to remain in disbelief. Evidence of this resolve is that they disbelieved after having believed, and after they had testified that the Messenger was the truth, and after the proofs had come to them—from the Qur’an and other miracles by which prophethood is established. They are the Jews who disbelieved in the Prophet (peace be upon him) after having been believers in him, which occurred when they witnessed the clear signs that should have strengthened their faith.

It is also said that this was revealed regarding a group who had embraced Islam, then apostatized and fled to Mecca, among them: Tu‘mah ibn Ubayriq, Wahwah ibn al-Aslat, and al-Harith ibn Suwayd ibn al-Samit.

If you ask: Upon what is the phrase "and they testified" (wa-shahidu) conjoined?

I say: There are two possibilities:

1. It is conjoined to the verbal meaning inherent in "their faith" (imānihim), as its meaning is "after they believed," similar to the Almighty’s saying: "Then I would give charity and be" (fa-addaqa wa-akun) [63:10], and the poet’s verse: "They are neither reformers of a clan, nor a crier..."
2. It is permissible for the waw (and) to be for the state (hal), with an implied "qad" (already), meaning: "They disbelieved, while they had already testified that the Messenger was the truth."

"And Allah does not guide..."

He does not show grace to the wrongdoing, obstinate people whom He knows that grace will not benefit.

"Except those who repent after that..."

After that great disbelief and apostasy.

"And make amends..."

By fixing what they corrupted, or by entering into righteousness. It is said this was revealed regarding al-Harith ibn Suwayd after he regretted his apostasy and sent word to his people, asking: "Ask if there is a repentance for me." His brother, al-Julas, sent this verse to him. He then came to Medina, repented, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) accepted his repentance.