Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)

110. “Verily He knows what is spoken aloud and He knows what you conceal.”

111. “And I know not perhaps this (respite) may be a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while.”

In this holy verse the Qur’an implies that you should never think that if there is a delay in your punishment it is for that Allah is not aware of your deeds and words. Nay! He knows everything. He knows both your manifest statements and what you conceal.

The verse says:

“Verily He knows what is spoken aloud and He knows what you conceal.”

In principle, the quality of being concealed and manifest is meaningful for you who are limited in knowledge. For Allah, Whose knowledge is infinite, both the Unseen and the visible are the same, and there is no difference between secret and manifest therein.

Then, the second holy verse implies that if you see that the Divine punishment does not meet you quickly, it is not for the reason that He is not aware of your affair.

So, the verse says:

“And I know not perhaps this (respite) may be a trial for you…”

He desires that you enjoy the pleasures of this world for a while and then He will seize you violently and punish you.

The verse continues saying:

“…and an enjoyment for a while.”

In fact, there are two philosophies stated here for the delay of the Divine punishment. The first one is the subject of trial; for Allah does not haste in punishing wrong doers in order to test them enough and to complete the argument to them.

The second philosophy is that there are some people whose trial has ended and their punishment has been decided, but for the sake that they receive their chastisement fully, He spreads the bounties for them so that they become completely drowned in them, and just at the same time that they are busy enjoying themselves, He strikes the lash of punishment over them to be more painful for them, and they feel the pain of the deprived and oppressed well.

The Qur’an says:

“…We give respite to them only that they may increase in sin;…”1