Tafsir of Ad-Dukhan 44:35-36

{These} refers to the disbelievers of Quraysh.

If you ask: The discourse concerns the second life, not death. Why, then, was it not said: "It is only our first life, and we will not be resurrected," just as it was said: "It is only our worldly life, and we will not be resurrected"? What is the meaning of His saying: {It is only our first death}? And what is the significance of mentioning "the first"? It is as if they were promised another death, so they denied it and affirmed the first.

I say (and Allah is the Granter of success): The meaning is that it was said to them: "You will die a death that is followed by life, just as a death preceded you that was followed by life," as in His saying (Exalted is He): {And you were dead, and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you to life} (Al-Baqarah: 28). So they said: {It is only our first death}, meaning: "There is no death that is destined to be followed by life except the first death, not the second." They meant that the attribute you describe—that death is followed by life—applies only to the first death. Thus, there is no difference in meaning between this and the saying: {It is only our worldly life}.

It is said: "Anshara Allahu al-mawta" (Allah resurrected the dead) and "Nasharahum" (He raised them), meaning He brought them back to life.

{Then bring back our forefathers}: This is an address to those who were promising them the resurrection—the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the believers. It means: If you are truthful in what you say, then hasten for us the revival of those who have died among our forefathers by asking your Lord for that, so that it may be proof that what you promise of the Hour and the resurrection of the dead is true.

It is also said that they were asking them to pray to Allah to resurrect for them Qusayy ibn Kilab so they could consult him, for he was their elder and the one they consulted in times of crisis and major affairs.

{Are they better, or the people of Tubba‘ and those before them? We destroyed them; indeed, they were criminals.}