126. “And remember when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its inhabitants with fruits—those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day.’ He replied, ‘As for whoever disbelieves, I will allow him enjoyment for a little while; then I will compel him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!’”

That is, remember when Abraham prayed for this House, asking Allah to make it a secure city and to provide its inhabitants with all kinds of fruit. Abraham—peace be upon him—then limited this supplication to the believers, out of proper reverence toward Allah. His first supplication had been unrestricted, but its answer came with the qualification that it did not extend to the wrongdoers.

When he prayed that they be granted provision and limited his prayer to the believers, even though Allah’s provision encompasses believers and disbelievers, the disobedient and the obedient alike, Allah Most High said: “As for whoever disbelieves”; that is, I will provide for them all, Muslims and disbelievers alike. The Muslim uses this provision to help him worship Allah and then passes from it into the bliss of Paradise. As for the disbeliever, he enjoys it for only a little while; “then I will compel him”—that is, drive him under compulsion—“to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!”