Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 1783 — The Book About the Characteristics of the Hypocrites and Orders Concerning Them.

'Abdullah bin Mas'ud Narrated from:

It (i.e. the imagined smoke) was because, when the Quraish refused to obey the Prophet ﷺ, he invoked Allāh تعالى to afflict them with years of drought (famine) similar to those of (Prophet) Yūsuf (Joseph) عليه السلام, and so they were stricken with drought and severe (hunger and) exhaustion, so much so that they ate even bones.A man would look towards the sky and imagine seeing something like smoke between him and the sky because of severe (hunger and) exhaustion.So Allāh تعالى revealed: “Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke, covering the people; this is a painful torment...” (V.44:10,11)Then someone (Abū Sufyān) came to Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ and said, “O Allāh’s Messenger! Invoke Allāh تعالى to send rain for the tribes of Mudar for they are on the verge of destruction.” On that the Prophet ﷺ said (astonishingly): “(Shall I invoke Allāh) for the tribes of Mudar? Verily, you are a brave man!” But the Prophet ﷺ prayed for rain and it rained for them.Then the Verse was revealed: ‘Verily you will revert...’ (V.44:15)(When the famine was over and) they restored prosperity and welfare, they reverted to their ways (of heathenism)whereupon Allâh عز وجل revealed: “On the Day when We shall seize you with the Greatest Grasp. Verily! We will exact retribution...” (V.44:16)The narrator said, “That was the day (of the Battle) of Badr.” (Sahîh Al-Bukhârî, Hadîth No. 346, Vol. 6)