Surah Al Anbiya Tafseer

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُم مِّنَّا الْحُسْنَى

Verily, those for whom the good has preceded from Us,

Ikrimah said,

"Mercy."

Others said it means being blessed.

أُوْلَيِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ

they will be removed far therefrom.

When Allah mentions the people of Hell and their punishment for their associating others in worship with Allah, He follows that with a description of the blessed who believed in Allah and His Messengers. These are the ones for whom the blessing has preceded from Allah, and they did righteous deeds in the world, as Allah says:

لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ الْحُسْنَى وَزِيَادَةٌ

For those who have done good is the best reward and even more. (10:26)

هَلْ جَزَاءُ الاِحْسَـنِ إِلاَّ الاِحْسَـنُ

Is there any reward for good other than good. (55:60)

Just as they did good in this world, Allah will make their final destiny and their reward good; He will save them from punishment and give them a great reward.

أُوْلَيِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ