Araf 167 | aamsaafank's Blog

Araf 167

167- AND YOUR LORD DECREED THAT HE WILL SEND DOWN UPON THEM THOSE WHO WILL MAKE THEM SUFFER TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT, UP TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION,  FOR YOUR LORD IS VERY SWIFT IN PUNISHMENT AND HE IS MOST FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL.

This is a promise, not a warning.  It has and will always be fulfilled.

Allah the Highest promises the Children of Israel two kinds of punishments:

1-    An Earthly one in which Allah the Highest will make them suffer on the hands of other people, and this is to continue to the Day of Resurrection.

2-    The Punishment which awaits them in the Hereafter.

Allah the Highest may punish people in this life, to safe them being punished in the Hereafter, or Allah the Highest may forgive them, being the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving.  This tells us that the Children of Israel will always continue to cause mischief and do evil on Earth, which we see to have happened through history and is still happening, in Israel and throughout the Earth. 

In the meantime, punishing people in this life can be a manifestation of Allah’s anger. 

Sometimes people ask as to why does Allah the Highest let evil be and continue on Earth.  However, evil has important function:

-         Evil around us, allows us to choose between good and evil.  Otherwise, the choice of man will not be required.

-         Seeing evil and what it does, makes people appreciate what is good.

-         Evil inspires and encourage people to resist it and to do what is good and righteous.  Without darkness, light can never be appreciated.

On another level, this Ayah tells us that we should always expect the Children of Israel to be causes of Mischief and Evil.  Trusting them is foolish, and relying on their honour and good will is foolhardy.