﴿ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ ﴾

“even though a short while ago, [just] before it was sent down upon them, they had abandoned all hope!”

(Though before that) before the rain, (even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair) about the rain.