and they said, “It means His punishment.”

They are told in reply: His warning His servants of Himself is like His commanding them to fear Him. If someone says that Allah’s warning of Himself includes warning of His punishment, that is true. But if he says that it means nothing other than warning of His punishment, without warning of Himself, this is a distortion.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your displeasure, and in Your protection from Your punishment. I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot praise You enough; You are as You have praised Yourself.”