فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا 84
Translations
So be not impatient over them. We only count out [i.e., allow] to them a [limited] number.
Transliteration
Fa-lā ta'jal 'alayhim, innāmā na'uddu lahum 'addā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) not to hasten in punishing the disbelievers, as He alone is counting their deeds and determining their appointed term. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes divine patience and the precise recording of all actions—nothing escapes Allah's knowledge or accounting. The verse reassures the Prophet that Allah's justice is certain, even if it appears delayed from a human perspective.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Maryam, which addresses the Prophet's concerns about the stubbornness of the Meccan disbelievers and their rejection of the message. The broader context (verses 75-98) deals with the final judgment and Allah's ultimate authority over all creation, providing comfort to the believers that divine reckoning is absolute and inevitable.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Sahih Bukhari 4635, where the Prophet taught that 'Allah does not hasten with punishment as people hasten.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah 4286 emphasizes that Allah's reckoning is precise and complete, connecting to the theme of divine accounting ('adad) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should trust in Allah's timing and justice rather than seeking immediate retribution against wrongdoers, knowing that every deed is recorded and will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. This cultivates patience, forbearance, and reliance upon Allah's supreme wisdom in all matters.