Thus He informed us that the Jews would never wish for death, and it happened exactly as He said: never do the Jews wish for death at all.

This serves as proof on two counts: first, His very declaration that it would never occur, and second, Allah’s averting the motives of the Jews from wishing for death even though doing so was fully within their power. This is among the most astonishing events that break the normal order of things, for despite their keenness to deny him, none of them was moved to expose him by openly expressing a wish for death.

He also said in Surah al-Muddaththir:

“Leave Me alone with the one I created all by Myself, to whom I granted ample wealth and children ever at his side …” (Al-Muddaththir 11–13),

until His words:

“I shall cast him into Saqar. And what will make you comprehend what Saqar is? It spares nothing and leaves nothing.” (Al-Muddaththir 26–28)

And concerning Abu Lahab—his own uncle—He said:

“Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! His wealth and all he earned will avail him nothing. He will burn in a Fire of blazing flame.” (Al-Masad 1–3)

Events unfolded exactly as foretold: al-Walid died an unbeliever, and Abu Lahab likewise died an unbeliever.