(See they not) i.e. the people of Mecca (how We visit the land) how We seize the land, (reducing it of) opening it up to Muhammad (pbuh) from (its outlying parts?) from its surrounding sides; it is also said that this refers to the death of the men of knowledge. ((When) Allah doometh) when He decrees the conquest of cities or the death of scholars (there is none that can postpone) there is nothing that can change this. (His doom, and He is swift at reckoning) His torment is severe; it is also said that this means: when He takes people to task, His reckoning is severe.