24وَلَقَد عَلِمنَا المُستَقدِمينَ مِنكُم وَلَقَد عَلِمنَا المُستَأخِرينَMuhammad AsadAnd well do We know [the hearts and deeds, of all human beings - both] those who lived before you and those who will come after you;1Or: "those of you who hasten forward [towards Us], and those who lag behind". Both these interpretations are considered equally legitimate by the early commentators.