Men are harmed by unjust rulers, power wielding demagogues and abusers, specially involving sexual ingresses, bodily or spiritually harm. These evil doers make lives of others miserable. While a few can muster some strength to stand and challenge these evil doers, mostly people are forced to bow to their demands, but they in their hearts cry out to their Lord for why He is letting them hurt others and do not take stock of their crimes. In answer to such silent prayers, Allah reassures them that Allah is not heedless of the evil deeds of the evil doers. Instead, He just giving them some leverage to realise their evil deeds and repent. And when such people do not repent and continue with their evil deeds, the Divine wrath does strike, as we can look back and see the fate of the people of "Ad, Thamud and Lot.
Therefore, one should never think that Allah may ever be unaware of what the wrongdoers are perpetrating. It might appear so to some people who see the wrongdoers enjoying a comfortable life in this world. Such people hear God’s warning, but see nothing of it taking place in this life. This explains the deadline which is fixed for their final punishment when they are given no further respite. That takes place on the day when eyes stare fixedly in horror, unable even to wink. The fear is so great that there is no blinking of a single eyelid.
Before we share the verse of warning for the evil doers and reassurance to the oppressed, you may like to read our post for the question that usually comes to mind of the oppressed:
The following verse, the 42nd verse from Surah 14. Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham) of Al Qur'an is a Divine warning for the demagogues and reassurance to the oppressed, wherein Allah says:
وَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعۡمَلُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ ؕ اِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمۡ لِيَوۡمٍ تَشۡخَصُ فِيۡهِ الۡاَبۡصَارُ ۙ
"Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when eyes will stare (in horror)." (Qur'an 14:42)
Context of the Verse (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)
This verse was revealed in Makkah, during a time when rhe Prophet ﷺ and his companions were being persecuted at the hands of the polytheists of Makkah and the leaders of leading tribe of Quraysh were mocking, torturing, and oppressing Muslims without consequence. The disbelievers thought their wealth and status protected them from any consequences
Thus, this verse was sent as a warning to the oppressors and a comfort to the oppressed. It reassured the Prophet ﷺ and his followers that Allah is not unaware or unjust — He is simply giving the oppressors time, not escape.
Detailed Explanation
- Do not think Allah is unaware...”
- A direct address to both the Prophet ﷺ and the believers: Don't mistake Allah’s silence for ignorance or approval.
- Allah sees every act of oppression, injustice, and evil, even if He does not punish it immediately.
- “He only delays them...”: That is Allah gives respite (أَمهَلَ) to wrongdoers to:
- Let them repent
- Let the test of life continue
- Let the full weight of their choices accumulate
- This delay is part of Allah’s wisdom and mercy — but it is not forgiveness unless repentance occurs.
- “Until a Day when eyes will stare in horror”
- Refers to Yawm al-Qiyāmah (Day of Judgment).
- On that day, the reality of divine justice will be so terrifying that eyes will be fixed, unblinking in fear — paralyzed by what they see.
What does this Ayat / verse Teaches
- Don’t confuse delay with approval: Many people today assume that because evil seems to go unpunished, there may be no consequence. This verse destroys that illusion.
- Oppression will never be ignored: Allah’s justice is perfect. Every act of:
- Oppression
- Abuse
- Corruption
- That is evil doers will be accounted for, even if not immediately punished.
- The Day of Judgment is real and terrifying The Qur'an often gives imagery of the terror of the Day of Judgment to remind people that ultimate justice is certain, even if delayed.
Hadiths Supporting this Verse
- Allah gives respite, but not neglect:
- “Indeed, Allah gives respite to the wrongdoer. But when He seizes him, He does not let go.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4686, Muslim 2583)
- This hadith directly echoes the meaning of 14:42. Allah may delay punishment to give a chance for repentance — but when the moment of justice comes, it is swift and decisive.
- Injustice is darkness on the Day of Judgment
- “Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection...” (Sahih Muslim 2578)
- Those who wrong others will face humiliation and punishment on a day when there is no escape.
- Hadith Qudsi: Allah’s warning to the oppressors
- “O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.” (Sahih Muslim 2577)
- This ties directly into 14:42 — it shows how serious oppression is in the eyes of Allah.
Summary of Lessons from 14:42
- Allah is never unaware: That is even if justice is delayed, it is never denied
- Respite viz Approval: Delay is a test for the oppressor and the oppressed
- Day of Judgment is real Eyes will stare in terror — it will be undeniable and overwhelming
- Comfort for the oppressed Justice is promised; stay patient and firm
- Warning to the arrogant Your deeds are not hidden; you are only being given time
Let us not fall in the category of the evil doers of which Allah is never unaware of and will haul them one day with consequences so unbearable that one cannot imagine.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah 14. Ibrāhīm "إبراهيم" (Prophet Abraham) for more selected verses.
Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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