Overall meaning : Allah Almighty declares that the worst creatures that walk upon the earth in His estimation and judgement are those who disbelieve in their Lord and persist in their unbelief, and who, according to His foreknowledge, will never believe. They are those with whom Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, makes a peace treaty but time after time violate their treaties with him and have no fear of Allah. Then He enjoins His Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying that if he gains mastery over them in war, he should make a fearsome example of them for other enemies so that they will be dispersed and learn a lesson which will deter them from violating any treaty they may have made with him.
If he has strong reason to fear treachery from a people with whom he is bound by a treaty, due to the existence of signs clearly indicating this, then he should, Allah commands him, openly declare his treaty with them terminated, before embarking on any action against them, so that both parties should be informed of its termination and he will not be accused of treachery, stressing that He does not love the treacherous who betray their covenants.
The unbelievers should not suppose, the Almighty warns, that they can escape from Him or His punishment, for He has absolute power over them and they can never frustrate His will.