[Then I granted respite to the disbelievers]—meaning: I did not destroy them upon their rejecting My messengers until the time came that I willed to destroy them in. [Then I seized them]—with punishment when the time arrived. [Then how was My rejection?]—meaning: My punishment, that is, it was severe, and through this the polytheists are warned.
﴿فأمليت للْكَافِرِينَ﴾ أَيْ: لَمْ أُهْلِكْهُمْ عِنْدَ تَكْذِيبِهِمْ رُسُلَهُمْ حَتَّى جَاءَ الْوَقْتُ الَّذِي أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُهْلِكَهُمْ فِيهِ ﴿ثُمَّ أخذتهم﴾ بِالْعَذَابِ حِينَ جَاءَ الْوَقْتُ ﴿فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نكيري﴾ أَيْ: عِقَابِي، أَيْ: كَانَ شَدِيدًا يحذر بذلك الْمُشْركين.
