As for His statement, "after its ratification," it means: after Allah made firm security regarding it (1), by taking their covenants of fidelity to Him concerning what He covenanted with them in that regard (2). However, tawaththuq (making firm security) is a verbal noun from your saying: "I secured myself against so-and-so (tawaththaqtu)." And al-mīthāq (the covenant) is a noun derived from it. The pronoun "-hi" (its) in al-mīthāq refers to the name of Allah.

And everyone who possesses the characteristic by which Allah described these transgressors among the hypocrites and disbelievers—in breaking the covenant, severing ties of kinship, and committing corruption in the earth—may enter under the ruling of this verse.

572- As Bishr ibn Muʿādh narrated to us, He said: Yazīd narrated to us, from Saʿīd, from Qatāda, regarding His statement, "{Who break the covenant of Allah after its ratification}": Beware of breaking this covenant, for Allah disdained its breaking and threatened regarding it, and presented proof, admonition, and counsel concerning it in the verses of the Qur'an. Indeed, we do not know of Allah—majestic is His remembrance—threatening for any sin what He threatened for breaking the covenant. So whoever gives the covenant and pledge of Allah from the fruit of his heart, let him fulfill it for Allah (3).

573- Al-Muthannā narrated to me, He said: Isḥāq narrated to us, He said: Ibn Abī Jaʿfar narrated to us, from his father, from al-Rabīʿ, regarding His statement, "{Who break the covenant of Allah after its ratification, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption in the earth—it is those who are the losers}": They are six traits among the people of hypocrisy; when they have the upper hand, (4) they manifest these six traits