/ Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not release him

Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not release him

Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not release him." Then, he recited: {Such is the seizing of your Lord when He seizes the towns that are given to wrongdoing; His seizing is surely painful and severe.} [Surat Hūd: 102]"
Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warns against persistent wrongdoing by committing sins, polytheism, and injustice to people about their rights, for indeed Allah Almighty gives respite to the oppressor and endows him with a long lifetime and abundant wealth and does not hasten to punish him. But, if he does not repent, He seizes him and does not release him due to his persistent wrongdoing. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited: {Such is the seizing of your Lord when He seizes the towns that are given to wrongdoing; His seizing is surely painful and severe.} [Surat Hūd: 102]

Hadeeth benefits

  1. A wise person should hasten to repent and not feel safe from the plan of Allah, if he is persistent in wrongdoing.
  2. By giving respite to the oppressors and not hastening to punish them, Allah Almighty drags them to sin, making them worthy of a greater punishment unless they repent.
  3. Oppression is one of the causes for which Allah inflicts punishment on any nation.
  4. If Allah destroys a town, there might be some righteous people. Those will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment in the state of piety that they died on, and their inclusion in the punishment will cause them no harm.