Tafseer Ibn Kathir of SABA' [28]

28. And We have not sent you except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, and most of men know not. 29. And they say: ”When is this promise if you are truthful'' 30. Say: ”The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour nor put forward.''

(And We have not sent you except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind,) i.e., to all of creation among those who are accountable for their deeds. This is like the Ayah:

(Say: ”O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.'') (7:158)

(Blessed be He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to the all creatures.) (25:1)

a giver of glad tidings and a warner means, to bring the glad tidings of Paradise to those who obey you and to warn of the fire of Hell to those who disobey you. This is like the A0ya0t:

(and most of men know not.)

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly. ) (12:103)

(And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path) (6:116). Muhammad bin Ka`b said concerning the Ayah:

(And We have not sent you except to all mankind) meaning, to all the people. Qatadah said concerning this Ayah, ”Allah, may He be exalted, sent Muhammad to both the Arabs and the non-Arabs, so the most honored of them with Allah is the one who is most obedient to Allah.'' In the Two Sahihs it was reported that Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him said, ”The Messenger of Allah said:

(I have been given five things which were not given to any of the Prophets before me. I have been aided by fear (the distance of ) a month's journey. The entire earth has been made a Masjid and a means of purification for me, so that when the time for prayer comes, any man of my Ummah should pray. The spoils of war have been made permissible for me, whereas they were not permitted for any before me. I have been given the power of intercession; and the Prophets before me were sent to their own people, but I have been sent to all of mankind.)'' It was also recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah said:

(I have been sent to the black and the red.) Mujahid said, ”This means to the Jinn and to mankind.'' Others said that it meant the Arabs and the non-Arabs. Both meanings are correct.

(And they say: ”When is this promise if you are truthful'') This is like the Ayah:

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth...) (42:18) Then Allah says:

(Say: ”The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot for an hour move back nor forward.'') meaning, `you have an appointed time which is fixed and cannot be changed or altered. When it comes, you will not be able to put it back or bring it forward,' as Allah says:

(Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed) (71:4).

(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) (11:104-105).