"And We have already known the preceding among you," interpreted by Qatada as meaning: Adam and those who have passed from his descendants. "And We have already known the successors," those who remain in the loins of men.
﴿وَلَقَد علمنَا الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنْكُم﴾ تَفْسِيرُ قَتَادَةَ: يَعْنِي: آدَمَ، وَمَنْ مَضَى مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ ﴿وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ﴾ مَنْ بَقِيَ فِي أَصْلِبَةِ الرِّجَالِ.
