And He, glorified be He, has told us of the punishments He inflicted in this world upon sinful nations: the people of Noah, ‘Ād, Thamūd, the people of Lot, the people of Midian, and Pharaoh’s people. He has also told us of the punishments He will inflict upon them in the Hereafter. Thus, the believer from Pharaoh’s household said:

“My people, I fear for you a day like that of the allied peoples.”

“Like the fate of the people of Noah, ‘Ād, Thamūd, and those after them. Allah wills no injustice for His servants.”

“My people, I fear for you the Day of Mutual Calling.”

“The day you turn and flee, with none to protect you from Allah. Whoever Allah leaves astray will have no guide.”

He, Most High, says:

“Such is the punishment, but the punishment of the Hereafter is greater.”

He says:

“We shall punish them twice; then they will be returned to a tremendous punishment.”

He says:

“We shall surely make them taste the lesser punishment before the greater punishment, so that they may return.”

He says:

“Watch, then, for the day when the sky brings forth a visible smoke.”

Up to His words:

“On the day We seize them with the greatest seizure, We shall surely exact retribution.”

Thus, in most surahs containing warnings, Allah mentions the punishments He inflicted upon evildoers in this world and what He has prepared for them in the Hereafter. Sometimes, a surah mentions only what is promised in the Hereafter, for its punishment is greater, its reward is greater, and it is the enduring abode. Whatever He mentions of reward and punishment in this world is mentioned only secondarily, as in His words in the account of Joseph:

“Thus We established Joseph in the land, to settle wherever he wished. We bestow Our mercy upon whom We will, and We do not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

“And the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believe and are mindful of Allah.”

He says: “So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the finest