Why did God not grant the previously tormented nations in this world respite until the Day of Resurrection?
The worldly life is not a realm of complete recompense; rather, it contains a measure of recompense that serves wisdom and benefit. This is affirmed by the Quranic verses that speak of the punishments inflicted upon previous nations. The Afterlife is the realm of full recompense. As for this world, Allah punishes and grants respite according to His wisdom and interests, and He may defer the punishment until the Afterlife. The reasons for expediting punishment in this world are manifold, including: nations deserving punishment, to serve as a lesson for others, in response to the supplications of prophets, as a victory for the believers, to remove the evil of the disbelievers, and to demonstrate the effects of Allah’s attributes of justice. As for the deferral of punishment, it may be a mercy from Allah for some people to allow them to rectify themselves, but one must beware of Allah's strategizing, for punishment may be deferred until the Afterlife, or it may be more severe and greater. The believer must strive for sincere repentance and not feel secure from Allah's strategizing.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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