What is the interpretation of the verse: "Whoever thinks that Allah will not support him..?"

The noble verse in Surat Al-Hajj (22:15), “Whoever thinks that Allah will not support him in this world and the Hereafter, let him extend a rope to the sky, then sever it, and see if his scheme will remove what enrages him,” illustrates several interpretive aspects:

1. First Meaning (Most Apparent): This is directed at the envious disbelievers of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who think that Allah will not support him. The meaning is that the disbeliever should extend a rope to the ceiling of his house and then hang himself with it until he dies of rage. Let him then see if this act of his will remove what enrages him concerning Allah's support for His Prophet in this world and the Hereafter. This interpretation is supported by the Almighty's saying: "And when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, 'Die in your rage.'"

2. Second Meaning (For Impotence/Defiance): Whoever thinks that Allah will not support His Prophet, let him ascend to the sky to cut off the descent of revelation and divine support from him. The meaning here is to show their impotence, for no matter how much the envious scheme, they cannot prevent Allah’s support for His Prophet. This indicates their helplessness and limited stratagem. This is attested to by the Almighty's saying: "Or do they own the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them? Then let them ascend through the means."

3. Third Meaning (Weak): Some opine that the pronoun in "support him" refers to "whoever," meaning the person himself, and that support here means sustenance. So, whoever thinks that Allah will not provide for him, let him choke and die of grief. However, this opinion is weak and baseless.

It is affirmed that the pronoun in "support him" refers to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Allah’s support for him in this world by exalting His word and vanquishing his enemies, and in the Hereafter by elevating his rank and avenging those who disbelieved him.