Surah 3:178

By

Dr. Zohurul Hoque & Husain Nuri

 

3:178  And let not those who have disbelieved consider that Our giving them respite is good for them; surely, Our giving them time makes them increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.

3:178 It is beyond the principle of Allâh to punish a person or a community immediately after a sin is committed (16:61; 35:45). Under the fair system of justice, it is imperative that all sinners are given adequate opportunity, time and resources to arbitrate their case and nobody should be brought to book unless s/he was given proper hearing in the court of justice. Under the divine system of justice, all sinners are allowed enough time in life so that no person or community can express alibi of not getting an opportunity to rectify and amend. Thus, in the history of a nation it is not unusual to see anarchy and transgression continues unabated and sinners keep on averting divine punishment. God's giving respite to the sinners is not necessarily good for them since they are unable to utilize it in rightful manner. Due to their habitual rejection of truth and routine violation of moral, ethical and spiritual standards, the respite of time only increases their share of sin.

 

Source: http://www.qurancommentary.com/comm3_178.html

 

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