وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ بَصِيرًۢا 45
Translations
And if Allāh were to impose blame on the people for what they have earned, He would not leave upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature. But He defers them for a specified term. And when their time comes, then indeed Allāh has ever been, of His servants, Seeing.
Transliteration
Wa law yu'akhidhu Allahu an-nasa bima kasabu ma taraka 'ala zahriha min dabbah wa lakin yu'akhkhiruhum ila ajalin musammah fa-idha ja'a ajalhum fa-inna Allaha kana bi-'ibadihi basir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's perfect knowledge and justice: if He were to punish humanity immediately for every transgression, no living creature would survive on earth. Instead, Allah extends respite (deferment) to humanity until their appointed term, demonstrating His mercy alongside His complete awareness of all deeds. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah illustrates the balance between divine justice and compassion—Allah observes all human actions but grants opportunity for repentance before the final reckoning.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is a Meccan surah addressing the themes of divine origination, sustenance, and accountability. This ayah appears in the context of discussing human responsibility for their actions and Allah's perfect observation of creation. It serves to remind the Meccan audience of Allah's overwhelming knowledge and the temporal nature of worldly life before the appointment with the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Allah gives respite to the wrongdoer, but when He seizes him, He does not let him escape' (Sahih Bukhari 4686). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about divine forbearance reinforces that Allah's delay in punishment is an act of mercy and a call to repentance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's delay in punishment is not an indication of negligence but rather an expression of mercy and an invitation to repentance. Modern believers should recognize that every moment of life is an opportunity to reform and seek forgiveness, knowing that Allah sees all actions and will ultimately judge with perfect justice.