Tafsir of Al-Ahqaf 46:20

"And the Day those who disbelieved are exposed to the Fire..."

The governing agent of the adverbial of time (yawm) is an implied verb of saying before the phrase: "Did you exhaust..."

"Are exposed to the Fire": This refers to their being tormented by it. It is derived from the saying: "The tribe of so-and-so was exposed to the sword," meaning they were killed by it. From this is the Almighty’s saying: "The Fire, they are exposed to it" (Ghafir: 46).

It is also possible that it means the Fire is presented to them, as in the saying: "The she-camel was presented to the watering trough," meaning the trough was presented to the camel, but they inverted the structure. This is supported by the interpretation of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): "They are brought to it, and it is unveiled before them."

"Did you exhaust your good things": That is, you have no share of good things written for you except what you have already consumed in your worldly life. You have exhausted it and taken it, so nothing remains for you after having received your full share.

It is narrated from Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "If I wished, I could have called for fine bread, mustard, camel humps, and fatty meats, but I saw that Allah the Almighty rebuked a people for their good things, saying: 'You exhausted your good things in your worldly life.'" He also said: "If I wished, I could be the best of you in food and the best of you in clothing, but I am preserving my good things."

It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he entered upon the People of the Suffah while they were patching their garments with leather because they could not find patches for them. He said: "Are you better today, or on the day when one of you goes out in one suit and returns in another, and a platter is brought to him in the morning and another in the evening, and your house is covered just as the Kaaba is covered?" They replied: "We are better on that day." He said: "Nay, you are better today."

Recitations:

• (A-dhahabtum): With an interrogative hamza.
• (Aa-dhahabtum): With an alif between two hamzas.
• (Al-hawn) and (Al-hawan): Both are recited.
• (Adhab al-hawan): Also a recitation.
• (Yufsaqun): Recited with both a damma and a kasra on the sin.

"And mention the brother of 'Ad, when he warned his people in the Ahqaf—and warners had already passed before him and after him—[saying], 'Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.'"