سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ
Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 129
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ﴿129﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, and a term determined, (their punishment) must necessarily have come (in this world).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْلَا
walawlā
And if not
كَلِمَةٌۭ
kalimatun
(for) a Word
سَبَقَتْ
sabaqat
(that) preceded
مِن
min
from
رَّبِّكَ
rabbika
your Lord
لَكَانَ
lakāna
surely (would) have been
لِزَامًۭا
lizāman
an obligation
وَأَجَلٌۭ
wa-ajalun
and a term
مُّسَمًّۭى
musamman
determined
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
And had it not been for a word already decreed by your Lord and a specified term set, the punishment would certainly have come upon them immediately. [93 1]
[93۔ 1]
The Wisdoms of the Law of Respite and Gradualness:
Just as the law of gradualness and respite operates in every act of Allah the Exalted, the same law is at work in the descent of divine punishment upon them. And there are many wisdoms inherent in this principle. That is, just as every task requires a fixed period to be accomplished, similarly, there is also an appointed time for divine punishment, which has certain conditions. And if this law were not in effect, their deeds are indeed such that they would have been destroyed immediately. The wisdoms in this legal gradualness and respite, and the harms if this law is not observed, have already been mentioned in previous footnotes. Therefore, there is no need for repetition now.
[93۔ 1]
The Wisdoms of the Law of Respite and Gradualness:
Just as the law of gradualness and respite operates in every act of Allah the Exalted, the same law is at work in the descent of divine punishment upon them. And there are many wisdoms inherent in this principle. That is, just as every task requires a fixed period to be accomplished, similarly, there is also an appointed time for divine punishment, which has certain conditions. And if this law were not in effect, their deeds are indeed such that they would have been destroyed immediately. The wisdoms in this legal gradualness and respite, and the harms if this law is not observed, have already been mentioned in previous footnotes. Therefore, there is no need for repetition now.
