four categories: the God-fearing, then the grateful, then the fearful, then the companions of the right hand. He said: I asked, "Why are they called the grateful?" He replied: "They thanked Allah during times of prosperity, and they prepared themselves for patience during times of trial, so they are in the footsteps of the God-fearing."

His saying: "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you.'"

[The First Aspect]

7396 - Muhammad ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Yazid al-Muqri' narrated to us, Sufyan narrated to us, from 'Amr, from Jabir, who said: It was revealed to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you,'" and he said: "I seek refuge in Your Countenance."

7397 - Al-Hasan ibn 'Arafah narrated to us, Isma'il ibn 'Ayyash narrated to us, from Abu Bakr ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Abi Maryam, from Rashid ibn Sa'd, from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas: The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked about this verse: "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet,'" and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "Indeed, it is inevitable; its interpretation has not yet come."

7398 - Isma'il ibn Abi al-Harith narrated to us, 'Ubayd Allah ibn Musa narrated to us, Abu Ja'far informed us, from al-Rabi', from Abu al-'Aliyah, from Ubayy ibn Ka'b regarding: "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you'" up to His saying: "and to make some of you taste the might of others." He said: These are four qualities; two of them came twenty-five years after the death of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): they were clothed in factions, and some of them were made to taste the might of others. Two remain, which must inevitably occur: stoning and being swallowed by the earth.

7399 - Al-Mundhir ibn Shadhan narrated to us, Ahmad ibn Ishaq narrated to us, Abu al-Ashhab narrated to us, from al-Hasan regarding His saying: "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet or to clothe you in factions,'" he said: Its punishment was restrained until its sin was committed; when its sin was committed, its punishment was sent.

7400 - It was read to Yunus ibn 'Abd al-A'la, Ibn Wahb informed us, who said: I heard Khallad ibn Sulayman saying: I heard 'Amir ibn 'Abd al-Rahman saying: Ibn 'Abbas used to say regarding this verse: "Say, 'He is the All-Able to send upon you a punishment from above you,'" [it means]: the leaders of evil.