Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
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The response to Abu Jahl’s supplication was given by Allah the Exalted in these words:
“You used to pray for judgment between truth and falsehood before this, so now, in the form of this battle (Badr), My judgment has become clear to you.
Now desist; your well-being lies in this. And if you still do not desist, then I will punish you again in the same manner.
And your multitude will be of no benefit to you, no matter how great it may be.”
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And the second response is given in these verses, that one reason why the punishment of stones was not sent down immediately is that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is still present among you, and as long as he is present, punishment cannot befall you. The second reason is that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the community of believers are constantly seeking forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah the Exalted, and My law is that as long as there are people seeking forgiveness among a nation, I do not send punishment upon them.

➋
It should also be remembered that although stones did not rain down from the sky upon Abu Jahl and his people, the handful of pebbles that Allah the Exalted placed in the hand of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was a small sample of the heavenly stones, as is stated by the Exalted Lord:
“You did not kill them, but Allah killed them; and when you threw (the handful of dust), it was not you who threw, but Allah threw.”
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