The Holy Quran 18:58 — Surah Al-Kahf

Arabic text

وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ذُو ٱلرَّحْمَةِ ۖ لَوْ يُؤَاخِذُهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ۚ بَل لَّهُم مَّوْعِدٌ لَّن يَجِدُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَوْئِلًا

Translation

Your Rabb is the Most Forgiving, Full of mercy (because of which He does not punish them immediately). If He were to take them to task for their (evil) deeds, He would have speedily afflicted them with punishment (because they certainly deserved it). However, they have been promised a term (a specific time when they will receive their punishment, which is either in this world or in the Aakhirah) from which they will not find any (escape) sanctuary (where they can be protected from Allaah's punishment).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

That is, their deeds are such that the punishment should not be delayed by even an hour. But the forbearance and generosity of Almighty Allah prevent their immediate destruction: out of His all-embracing mercy He overlooks up to a certain limit, and gives even the most hardened criminal the chance, if he wishes, to repent even now, have his past sins…

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