that shall be fulfilled. * Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers in it on their knees” [Maryam: 71-72] explain Allah’s blessing upon the God-fearing: although they come to it and cross over it while others fall into it, they are saved from it. Being saved from harm does not entail having suffered it; rather, it entails that its cause has arisen. If someone’s enemies pursue him to destroy him but cannot reach him, it is said: “Allah saved him from them.”

For this reason, Allah, exalted is He, says:

“And remember Noah, when he called out before: We answered him and saved him and his family from the great distress” [al-Anbiyā’: 76].

It is well known that Noah did not drown and then escape. Rather, he was saved from the drowning by which Allah destroyed others. As He says:

“So We saved him and the companions of the ark” [al-ʿAnkabūt: 15].

Likewise, He says concerning Lot:

“And We saved him from the town that practised wicked deeds” [al-Anbiyā’: 74].

It is well known that Lot was not afflicted by the punishment that befell them: the stones, the overturning of their town, and the blinding of their eyes.

Likewise, He says:

“And when Our command came, We saved Hūd and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us, and We saved them from a severe punishment” [Hūd: 58].

And He says:

“And when Our command came, We saved Sālih and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us, and from the disgrace of that day” [Hūd: 66].