How can one understand the noble verse: "And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its opulent ones, so they defiantly disobey therein; thus, the word [of due punishment] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction," knowing that Allah does not command corruption and disobedience?

The command mentioned in the noble verse is a command for obedience, not for transgression and corruption, as clarified by exegetes such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Jassas, who stated: "We commanded them to obey, but they disobeyed, so We destroyed them." Other verses confirm that Allah does not destroy towns until He sends warners and messengers to them, and He does not hold people accountable until after guiding them, which indicates the absence of accountability for those whom the message of a messenger has not reached.