Tazkirul Quran, Qur’an 37:176–182
The Ranks (Al-Saffat)
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
English text; the translator is not named in the archive’s data.
Translation
(176) Do they really wish to hasten Our punishment? (177) When it descends on their courtyards, how terrible that morning will be for those who were warned! (178) So turn away from them for a while. (179) And watch, for they will soon see. (180) Glory be to your Lord: the Lord of Glory is far above what they attribute to Him. (181) Peace be upon the Messengers (182) and praise be to God, the Lord of all the Worlds.
Commentary
(a) The prophets used to warn their community about the consequences of denying God’s Message. But people did not attach any importance to their words and instead ridiculed them because their prophet did not seem important enough to invoke God’s punishment on their rejection of his call.
However, in spite of their ridicule, God’s punishment was not meted out to them immediately, because before that can happen, the dawah work should have been brought to completion. That is why the prophets have been exhorted by God to exercise patience and avoid confrontation until the period of respite given to the people has been brought to an end at God’s instance.