Page 128 - Some Secrets of the Qur'an

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SOME SECRETS OF THE QUR'AN

behind these blessings and the time granted:

Do not let their wealth and their children impress
you. God merely wants to punish them by them in
the life of this world, and for them to die while they
are disbelievers. (Surat at-Tawba: 85)
Those who disbelieve should not imagine that the
extra time We grant to them is good for them. We
only allow them more time so they will increase in
evildoing. They will have a humiliating
punishment. (Surah Ali 'Imran: 178)
So leave them in their glut of ignorance for a while.
Do they imagine that, in the wealth and children We
extend to them, We are hastening to them with good
things? No indeed, but they have no awareness!
(Surat al-Muminun: 54-56)
As explained in the verses, what these people possess is
actually not good for them. The time granted to them is only
to add to their sins. When their term is over, neither their
wealth, nor their children nor their status can save them from
the painful punishment. Indeed, God has related the
situation of the past generations who lived in wealth and
abundance of provision, yet met a painful punishment as
follows:

How many generations We have destroyed before
them who had finer furnishings and a better
outward show! (Surah Maryam: 74)
The following verse explains the reason why these people
are granted extra time:
Say: 'As for those who are astray, let the all Merciful
prolong their term until they see what they were