﴿ ۞ وَلَوْ رَحِمْنَٰهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِم مِّن ضُرٍّۢ لَّلَجُّوا۟ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ ﴾

“And even were We to show them mercy and remove whatever distress might befall them [in this life], they would still persist in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro.”

(Though We had mercy on them) i.e. the people of Mecca (and relieved them of the harm) and relieved them of the hunger which was (afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on) they still would carry on blind to the Truth and guidance (in their contumacy) in their disbelief and error.