﴿129-130﴾ “Had it not been for a decree already issued by your Lord and an appointed term, their punishment would have been inevitable. * So be patient with what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset. Glorify Him also during the hours of the night and at both ends of the day, so that you may be pleased.”

This consoles the Messenger and encourages him to remain patient regarding the delay in destroying the deniers who turn away. Their disbelief and denial constitute sufficient cause for punishment to befall them and become inescapable, for Allah has ordained that punishments result from sins and arise because of them. These people have committed the cause warranting punishment, but it has been delayed by the decree of your Lord, which grants them respite, defers their punishment, and sets an appointed term. Thus, the appointed term and the fulfillment of Allah’s decree have delayed their punishment until its due time. Perhaps they will return to Allah’s command, whereupon He will accept their repentance and remove the punishment from them, provided the decree has not become binding against them.

For this reason, Allah commanded His Messenger to be patient with their verbal abuse and instructed him to offset it and seek strength to endure it by glorifying his Lord with praise at these blessed times: before sunrise and sunset; at the two ends of the day—its beginning and its close—which is a general statement following the specific mention; and throughout the times and hours of the night. Thus, if you do so, you may be pleased with the immediate and future reward your Lord grants you; your heart may find tranquility; you may delight in worshipping your Lord and thereby find consolation from their abuse; and patience will then become easier for you.