"Fa-umatti'uhu" in Al-Baqarah 126 — Supplication or Coercion in the Two Readings

The verse:
"He said: And whoever disbelieves — I will grant him enjoyment for a little, then I will compel him to the torment of Fire." (Al-Baqarah: 126)

Context:
Ibrahim's supplication for the people of Mecca — he asked for their provision but the verse addresses the disbelievers separately.

The two readings:

• "Fa-umatti'uhu" (indicative, raised): the majority reading — this is Allah's response to Ibrahim: Allah will grant enjoyment to the disbeliever briefly then compel him to Fire.
• "Fa-umatti'ahu" (subjunctive): read in one narration of Ibn Kathir — answer to a conditional: "whoever disbelieves, I will grant them enjoyment."

Key meaning:
Al-Tabari: "The apparent meaning is that this is Allah's speech, not Ibrahim's supplication." Allah does not withhold worldly provision from the disbeliever — but it is fleeting enjoyment followed by punishment.