Tafseer Ibn Kathir of ASY SYU'ARAA' [200]

200. Thus have We caused it to enter the hearts of the criminals. 201. They will not believe in it until they see the painful torment. 202. It shall come to them of a sudden, while they perceive it not. 203. Then they will say: ”Can we be respited'' 204. Would they then wish for Our torment to be hastened on 205. Think, if We do let them enjoy for years, 206. And afterwards comes to them that which they had been promised. 207. All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them. 208. And never did We destroy a township but it had its warners 209. By way of reminder, and We have never been unjust. Allah says: `thus We caused denial, disbelief, rejection and stubbornness to enter the hearts of the sinners.'

(They will not believe in it), i.e., the truth,

(until they see the painful torment.) means, when their excuses will be of no avail, and the curse will be upon them, and theirs will be an evil abode.

(It shall come to them of a sudden,) means, the punishment of Allah will come upon them suddenly,

(while they perceive it not. Then they will say: ”Can we be respited'') means, when they see the punishment, then they will wish they had a little more time so that they can obey Allah -- or so they claim. This is like the Ayah:

(And warn mankind of the Day when the torment will come unto them) until:

(that you would not leave) (14: 44). When every sinner and evildoer sees his punishment, he will feel intense regret. Such was the case of Fir`awn, when Musa prayed against him:

(Our Lord! ”You have indeed bestowed on Fir`awn and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the life of this world) until:

((Allah) said: ”Verily, the invocation of you both is accepted.'') (10:88-89). This supplication had an effect on Fir`awn: he did not believe until he saw the painful torment:

(till when drowning overtook him, he said: ”I believe that none has the right to be worshipped but He in Whom the Children of Israel believe.'') until:

(and you were one of the mischief-makers) (10:90-91). And Allah says:

(so when they saw Our punishment, they said: ”We believe in Allah Alone...'') (40:84-85).

(Would they then wish for Our torment to be hastened on) This is a denunciation and a threat, because they used to say to the Messenger, by way of denial, thinking it unlikely ever to happen:

(Bring Allah's torment upon us) (29:29). This is as Allah said:

(And they ask you to hasten on the torment...) (29:53-55). Then Allah says:

(Think, if We do let them enjoy for years, and afterwards comes to them that which they had been promised, all that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them.) meaning, `even if We delay the matter and give them respite for a short while or for a long time, then the punishment of Allah comes upon them, what good will their life of luxury do them then'

(The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning) (79:46). And Allah says:

(Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from punishment) (2:96).

(And what will his wealth avail him when he goes down) (92:11) Allah says here:

(All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them.) According to an authentic Hadith:

(The disbelievers will be brought and once dipped into the Fire, then it will be said to him: ”Did you ever see anything good Did you ever see anything good'' He will say, ”No, O Lord!'' Then the most miserable person who ever lived on earth will be brought, and he will be put in Paradise for a brief spell, then it will be said to him, ”Did you ever see anything bad” He will say, ”No, O Lord.'') meaning: as if nothing ever happened. Then Allah tells us of His justice towards His creation, in that He does not destroy any nation until after He has left them with no excuse, by warning them, sending Messengers to them and establishing proof against them. He says:

(And never did We destroy a township but it had its warners by way of reminder, and We have never been unjust.) This is like the Ayat:

(And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger) (17:15).

(And never will your Lord destroy the towns until He sends to their mother town a Messenger reciting to them Our Ayat.) until;

(the people thereof are wrongdoers) (28:59).