Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Because the previous punishments were general punishments from which no one was spared, whereas in this (punishment) some are saved and some are killed.
In another narration, it is mentioned that Allah has withheld from my ummah the punishment of rajm (i.e., stones raining down from the sky) and khasf (i.e., being swallowed by the earth), but this punishment—namely, internal discord and disunity—remains.
Some have said that the meaning of withholding is that during the era of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum), these punishments were withheld.
In the future, there will be khasf (swallowing by the earth), qadhf (pelting), and maskh (transformation) in this ummah, as is mentioned in another hadith.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
This means that the tribulation among people and their mutual conflict is easier compared to the punishment from Allah.
Perhaps this is the reason why this Ummah has been afflicted with tribulations.

➋
From other narrations, it is understood that the punishment from above can be in the form of stoning, and from below in the form of sinking into the earth (khasf), from which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sought refuge.
However, in another hadith, it is mentioned that near the Day of Judgment, there will be sinking into the earth (khasf) in this Ummah.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has reconciled this by stating that only a few individuals will be afflicted with khasf, and the entire Ummah will not be encompassed by this punishment. Therefore, the narrations in which khasf is negated, this negation is in regard to the entire Ummah, and those in which its occurrence is mentioned, it is in regard to a few individuals.
Thus, there is no contradiction or difference in these ahadith.
(Fath al-Bari: 8/371)

Hadith Commentary:

Because in them, all are destroyed.

It is understood from this that sectarianism is also a punishment from Allah, the Exalted.

The Ummah has been afflicted with this punishment for a long time, yet it is not willing to acknowledge it as a punishment—how regrettable.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
In this verse, three types of punishment are mentioned:
➊.
Heavenly punishment:
For example:
Flood, rain, thunderbolts, violent storms, and showers of stones, etc.
➋.
Earthly punishment:
For example:
Floods of rivers, eruption of volcanoes, earthquakes, and being swallowed by the earth, etc.
➌.
Sectarianism:
Whether it is of a religious nature, political, or tribal, all three types of punishments have afflicted previous nations. However, regarding the first two types of punishments for this Ummah, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sought refuge with Allah, which was accepted, and the first two types of punishment will not come upon this Ummah to completely destroy it, though they may occur partially.
2.
The third type of punishment exists within the Ummah, which has shattered the unity of the Muslim nation and rendered the Muslims a subdued people. This punishment is the result of rebellion and disobedience to the commands of Allah.
3.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, through this hadith, has affirmed the attribute (wajh) for the Essence of Allah, but His face is not like the faces of people.
In a hadith it is stated:
“The veil of majesty is a barrier over His face from being seen.” (Sahih Muslim, Al-Iman, Hadith: 448(180))
If Allah were to remove the veil of majesty, the radiance of His face would burn everything as far as the gaze reaches to ashes.
(Sahih Muslim, Al-Iman, Hadith: 445(179))
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself used to seek refuge with Allah by the honor of Allah’s noble face, as is evident from this hadith.
In the Qur’anic verses as well, the affirmation of Allah’s face is found.
There is consensus (ijma‘) of the pious predecessors (salaf salih) on affirming the attribute (wajh) for Allah. On this basis, it is necessary to affirm the attribute (wajh) without distortion (tahrif), without denial (ta‘til), without asking how (takyyif), and without likening (tamsil), and by it is meant the real face of Allah, which befits the majesty of His Essence.
To accept this attribute and to have faith in it is, in fact, to have faith in Allah.
(Sharh Kitab al-Tawhid by al-Ghunayman: 1/280)

Hadith Commentary:
By "from above," punishment by stones or rain is meant.
By "from below," earthquake and being swallowed by the earth are intended.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
In the noble verse mentioned in the hadith, three types of punishment are described.
It is narrated from Sa’d radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“I made three supplications to Allah, two of which were granted, and I was prevented from making one (supplication).
I supplicated to my Lord that my ummah not be destroyed by a widespread famine, and Allah accepted this.
I supplicated that my ummah not be destroyed by drowning,
and Allah accepted this as well.
Then I supplicated that there be no fighting and discord among them, but Allah prevented me from making this supplication.”
(Sahih Muslim, Al-Fitan, Hadith: 7260(2890))
In Musnad Ahmad, the wording is:
“My ummah will not unite upon misguidance.”
(Musnad Ahmad: 396/6)
2.
According to this hadith, there will be various groups and sects within this ummah who will continue to fight and dispute among themselves.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam described this as easier and lighter compared to the other two types of punishment, because in this there is expiation for the believers.
In any case, the path to salvation for the ummah is only that it makes decisions according to the Book and the Sunnah, and considers them the axis and center for living life.
If we look to the right or left, then division and discord will be our fate, and we will become occupied with mutual fighting and quarrels.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Explanation:
1:
Say: He (Allah) is able to send upon you a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet ().

2:
Or to divide you into sects and make you taste the violence of one another ().

Benefit:
Regarding the interpretation of the verse ﴿قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ﴾, Hafiz Abdussalam bin Muhammad writes:
“Punishment from above includes things like excessive rain, storms, lightning, hail, and strong winds, etc., or a tyrannical ruler, or for a woman, her husband who oppresses her. Punishment from below includes earthquakes, famine, being swallowed by the earth, or subordinates who are treacherous and dishonest, and for a man, an incompatible wife.

﴿أَوْ يَلْبِسَكُمْ شِيَعًا﴾ means to divide them into different groups and make them clash with one another; similarly, fighting is also a dreadful punishment. Sayyiduna Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas radi Allahu anhu narrates: The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ‘I made three supplications to my Lord:
① I supplicated to my Lord that He not destroy my entire ummah by drowning, and Allah accepted this supplication of mine.
② I supplicated that He not afflict my entire ummah with famine, and Allah accepted this supplication as well.
③ I supplicated that He protect my ummah from internal discord and division, but Allah did not accept this supplication of mine.’ [صحيح مسلم كتاب الفتن باب هلاك هذه الامة بعضهم ببعض : 289], [تفسير القرآن الكريم از عبدالسلام بن محمد تحت آيت قل هو القادر]