Silsilah as-Sahihah 3996 — How Allah determines mercy or punishment

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When Allah intends to show mercy to a nation, He causes its prophet to die before them, making him a forerunner and a means for them. And when He intends to destroy a nation, He destroys it through punishment during the life of its prophet and in his presence, because they are deniers of the prophet and disobedient to him, so he too is pleased at their destruction."