for every nation a fixed term. Al-Kalbi said: It is the respite granted to this community, and that He will not destroy them by punishment in this world. “Judgment would have been passed between them” through the descent of punishment and the hastening of retribution for those who denied the truth; this would have settled the matter between them, “concerning that over which they differ.” Al-Hasan said: Were it not for a word that had already gone forth from your Lord—His prior decree that He would not judge between them, regarding that over which they differed, by reward and punishment before the Day of Resurrection—judgment would have been passed between them in this world: the believer would have entered Paradise and the disbeliever the Fire. But the appointed term had already been decreed by Allah, so He set their meeting for the Day of Resurrection.

“And they say, ‘Why has no sign been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say, ‘The unseen belongs only to Allah. So wait; I too am waiting with you.’” (20)