Al Ḥijr

مَا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ اُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ

5. “No nation outstrips its term, nor can they postpone (it).

Allah’s way of treatment has been such under all circumstances that He has sought to provide adequate respite for reconsideration by all and for their awakening. He sends the means to inform all through causing painful disasters to happen, and enabling all to receive blessings one after the other. He does them both: He rewards, threatens, and He warns simultaneously so that each and everyone of the people is provided with the necessary ultimatum.

However, as soon as this duration of respite expires, the unavoidable and decisive doom awaits them all. The verse says:

“No nation outstrips its term, nor can they postpone (it).”

Notes to Be Considered

One’s fate and the calamities which ensue are of two kinds: those which are certain to happen, and those which are not so. The deaths which are not certain to occur can be avoided by praying, giving away alms and spending in charity, and making donations as well as charitable acts. They can be altered. However, the deaths which are certain to occur are unchangeable.