(47–49) “For every nation there is a messenger. When their messenger comes, judgment is passed between them with justice, and they are not wronged. They say, ‘When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?’ Say, ‘I have no power to harm or benefit even myself, except as Allah wills. Every nation has an appointed term. When their appointed time comes, they can neither delay it for a moment nor bring it forward.’”

Allah Most High says: “For every nation” among the nations of the past, “there is a messenger” who calls them to worship Allah alone and adhere to His religion.

“When their messenger comes” to them with the signs, some believe him while others reject him. Allah then judges between them with justice, saving the believers and destroying the deniers. “They are not wronged” by being punished before a messenger is sent and the proof is made clear, nor are they punished for sins they did not commit. Those who deny you should therefore beware of resembling the nations that were destroyed, lest what befell those people befall them as well.

Let them not deem the punishment slow in coming and say, “When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?” This is wrongdoing on their part, for they demand it from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—although he has no control over the matter. His duty is only to convey the message and explain it to the people.

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As for calling them to account and sending down punishment upon them, that rests with Allah Most High. He sends it down (1) upon them when its appointed term and the time He has decreed for it arrive, in accordance with His divine wisdom.

When that time comes, they can neither delay it for a moment nor bring it forward. The deniers should therefore beware of seeking to hasten the punishment, for they are seeking to hasten Allah’s punishment—a punishment which, once it descends, cannot be repelled from the guilty people. Therefore, He says: