(93–95) “Say, ‘My Lord, if You should show me what they are promised, then, my Lord, do not place me among the wrongdoing people.’ And indeed, We are surely able to show you what We promise them.”

After the Exalted had presented His momentous proofs to the deniers, yet they neither paid heed nor submitted to them, punishment became their due, and they were promised its descent. Allah instructed His Messenger to say: “Say, ‘My Lord, if You should show me what they are promised’”—that is, whenever You show me their punishment and cause me to witness it—“then, my Lord, do not place me among the wrongdoing people.” That is: Protect me and have mercy on me by keeping me from the sins with which You have tried them—sins that incur divine retribution—and also protect me from the punishment that will descend upon them. For when a general punishment descends, it encompasses both the sinner and others.

Allah affirmed the nearness of their punishment, saying: “And indeed, We are surely able to show you what We promise them.” But if We delay it, that is for a wise purpose; otherwise, Our power is fully capable of inflicting it upon them.