And when He threatened them with the destruction of those who came before, He mentioned the reason for delaying their punishment. This is in addition to what the context has guided towards its estimation. It is like saying: If He, glorified and exalted is He, had wanted, He would have hastened their punishment: "And if it were not for a word"—that is, a great word that has passed—"that preceded"—that is, in eternity—"from your Lord"—who has accustomed you with kindness by treating with forbearance and patience, and that He does not completely eradicate those who deny you, but extends for them, so that He may bring back whom He wills from them and bring forth from their loins those who will worship Him. This is only out of honor for you and mercy for your nation. For as we said at the beginning of the surah: "We did not send down the Qur'an upon you to cause you distress" [Taha: 2] by destroying them, even if they were a stubborn people, nor for any other reason. We sent it down only so that your followers may increase, so that they may do good deeds, and that would be an increase in your honor. This is indicated by his saying, blessings and peace be upon him: "And what I have been given is a revelation that Allah has revealed to me, so I hope to be the one who has the most followers." The punishment would have been "binding"—that is, it would have been most binding upon everyone who sins at the first sin that occurs from him due to your honor with Him and your closeness to Him. If it were not for a specified term set for everything, the matter would have been the same. However, His mercy has preceded His anger, so He does not hasten, and He has set the term, so He does not take before it. Each of the precedence of the word and the naming of the term is independent in granting respite. So how if they both come together, leading to the knowledge that the term must be fulfilled, even if the sinner increases in disobedience? This is to submit matters to Allah and not to worry while waiting for relief. He said: