that My punishment is the painful punishment.” (Q 15:50)

He, Exalted is He, also says, “Know that Allah is severe in punishment, yet Allah is All-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.” (Q 5:98) The verse begins with punishment and then follows it with mercy so that people will not let a sense of security from Allah’s scheme prevail over them. Whenever someone grows complacent toward Allah’s scheme, affliction and torment overtake him. Hence Allah, majestic and exalted, says:

“Did the people of the towns feel secure that Our might would not come upon them by night while they were asleep? Or did the people of the towns feel secure that Our might would not come upon them in broad daylight while they were at play? Did they feel secure from Allah’s scheme? None feels secure from Allah’s scheme except those who are losers.” (Q 7:97-99)

The person who feels safe from Allah’s scheme is self-deluded: he commits whatever sins he wishes and feels no fear of Him. In reality, however, he is a loser, for his final outcome will be punishment and humiliation—may Allah keep us safe.

Allah further says, “Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong; indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.” (Q 11:102) The Prophet ﷺ explained this verse, saying, “Allah grants respite to the wrongdoer—He leaves him to wrong himself—but once He seizes him, He never lets him escape,” after which he recited, “Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong; indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.” (Q 11:102)

So beware—beware—of taking Allah’s commands lightly. Some scholars have even said that if a person commits a sin while treating it casually, then, even if the sin is minor, it becomes a major sin—Allah’s refuge is sought—because of the heedlessness toward it that has settled in his heart.