(58) “There is no town but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. This has been inscribed in the Book.”

That is, every town whose people deny the messengers will inevitably be overtaken by destruction before the Day of Resurrection or by a severe punishment. This is a decree Allah has written and a judgment He has ordained, which must inevitably come to pass. Let those who deny therefore hasten to turn to Allah in repentance and believe His messengers before the sentence of punishment is fulfilled against them and the decree becomes binding upon them.