وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِ لَمُبْلِسِينَ
[30:49]
Though they were before this, before it was sent down upon them, confounded in sure despair.
Even though, before they received (the rain) - just before this - they were dumb with despair!
Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair.