Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited
from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature
is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured,
and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,
﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ
أَنِ اقْتُلُواْ أَنفُسَكُمْ﴾
(And if We had ordered them (saying), "Kill yourselves (i.e. the innnocent ones
kill the guilty ones)) until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,
﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُواْ مَا يُوعَظُونَ
بِهِ﴾
(but if they had done what they were told,) meaning, if they do what they were commanded
and refrain from what they were prohibited,
﴿لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ﴾
(it would have been better for them,) than disobeying the command and committing
the prohibition,
﴿وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتاً﴾
(and would have strengthened their conviction), stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith),
according to As-Suddi.
﴿وَإِذاً لاّتَيْنَـهُمْ مِّن لَّدُنَّـآ﴾
(And indeed We should then have bestowed upon them from Ladunna) from Us,
﴿أَجْراً عَظِيماً﴾
(A great reward), Paradise,
﴿وَلَهَدَيْنَـهُمْ صِرَطاً مُّسْتَقِيماً
﴾
(And indeed We should have guided them to the straight way.) in this life and the
Hereafter.