﴿96 - 99﴾ “Had the people of the towns believed and been mindful of Allah, We would surely have opened up for them blessings from heaven and earth. But they denied, so We seized them for what they used to earn. Did the people of the towns then feel secure that Our punishment would not come upon them by night while they slept? Or did the people of the towns feel secure that Our punishment would not come upon them in the morning while they were at play? Did they then feel secure from Allah’s plan? None feels secure from Allah’s plan except the losing people.”
Having stated that those who deny the messengers are afflicted with adversity as an admonition and warning, and with prosperity as a means of drawing them gradually toward punishment and as part of His plan, Allah Most High explains that, had the people of the towns believed sincerely in their hearts with a faith confirmed by their deeds, and observed mindfulness of Allah Most High inwardly and outwardly by forsaking everything He had forbidden, He would have opened up for them blessings from heaven and earth. He would have sent down abundant rain upon them and brought forth from the earth that by which they and their livestock could live, granting them the most prosperous life and abundant provision without hardship, toil, exertion, or fatigue. But they did not believe or remain mindful of Allah, so “We seized them for what they used to earn” through punishments and trials, the withdrawal of blessings, and the proliferation of afflictions. This was only part of the recompense for their deeds; had He taken them to task for everything they had earned, He would not have left a single living creature upon the earth. “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned, so that He may let them taste some of what they have done, that perhaps they might return.”
“Did the people of the towns then feel secure”—that is, the towns whose people denied the messengers, as indicated by the context—“that Our punishment would not come upon them,” meaning Our severe punishment, “by night while they slept,” while they were heedless, complacent, and at rest?
“Or did the people of the towns feel secure that Our punishment would not come upon them in the morning while they were at play?” What could possibly make them feel safe from that when they had done what brings it about and committed such grave crimes that even some of them would warrant destruction?!
“Did they then feel secure from Allah’s plan?” whereby He gradually draws them on without their knowledge and grants them respite—for His plan is indeed firm. “None feels secure from Allah’s plan except the losing people.” Anyone who feels secure from Allah’s punishment (1) has failed to believe in recompense for deeds and has not truly believed in the messengers.
This noble verse contains a most emphatic warning that a servant should never feel secure concerning the faith he possesses.
Rather, he should remain fearful and apprehensive lest he be afflicted by a trial that strips him of his faith. He should continually supplicate, “O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion,” and act diligently, pursuing every means that will deliver him from evil when tribulations arise. For no matter what state a servant may attain, he cannot be certain of safety.