Why do some sinners go unpunished in this world?

[Ruhi_Rose]

 


"If Allah were to take mankind to task for their wrong-doing, he would not leave hereon a living creature, but He reprieveth them to an appointed term, and when their term cometh they cannot put (it) off an hour nor (yet) advance (it)."   (16:61)  An-Nahl.

In this earthly world we have often observed that a sinful person may go unpunished leading a happy life while a good person faces injustice.  This aspect often confuses people to the extent that some lose their Faith in Allah.  That's because they haven't understood Verse 16:61 and many other verses similar to it.  Unfortunately most folks read the Noble Quran and its translations with a wondering mind as a ritual.  Thus, even if they finish reading the entire Quran 20 times, their knowledge is incredibly limited. 

Verse 16:61 is a direct and clear answer why some some sinners may go unpunished in earthly world and vice-versa.  If you try to concentrate on this Verse by reading it carefully, you will understand it yourself.  Allah confirms the Day of Judgment by referring to it as "an appointed term." Allah states that if it wasn't for the Day of Judgment (or that appointed term), not a single wrong doer would be spared in this world.  In other words, if He had not fixed an appointed time for the Day of Judgment, then every wrong doer would face justice by being punished right here in this world.  But since the Day of Judgment is surely there and is coming closer with the passage of each day, therefore in many cases, Allah allows the wrong doers to have their way along with their very temporary earthly enjoyments.  It's only on the Day of Judgment (a Day specified for dispensing justice) that these wrong doers and sinners will find themselves trapped, facing the punishment that awaits them, the Day which they can neither postpone nor advance.   This Verse (and there are many similar verses in the Noble Quran) also reiterate that the purpose of earthly life is only a test of human conduct.   Therefore, in this life we are largely permitted by Allah to exercise our own will.  Some of us exercise it with wisdom even at the cost of our own suffering, but most don't.  They are the ones who will face the wrath of Divine Justice in the next world - which is the "appointed term."

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Alhumdulilah.  How well you've grasped this vital point.  I hope our readers are able to find the answer of this much-asked question by reading this concise and articulate post.   Why do some sinners go unpunished in this world?  You guys must have thought this within yourself at least once or more.  Remember, the Noble Quran answers all our questions, and the answer to this question is right here in Verse 16:61 of Surah An-Nahl.     

Sister Ruhi's explanation makes everything cyrstal clear. 

Only those who don't believe in Allah and don't bother to acquire faith will be the ones not to understand.  As for those, we aren't interested in communicating with them.  We cannot guide them nor are we eager to do so.  Their case rests with Allah Almighty. 

[Zainab_M]

Indeed this is a very useful matter to mention.  Verse 16:61 and many similar to it give a straight-forward answer to the much sought after query by secularists as to why wicked folks go their way happy-go-lucky and mostly the innocent ones suffer.   Not just who are officially secularists but also those who claim to be practicing Muslims are unable to get the simple answer to this question.  There are basically two reasons for it. 

First, as Ruhi pointed out, most Muslims read the Quran (even the translation which is in a language they undersand) as a ritual.  Even if they're reading the English translation, they read it alright but their minds are distant, probably thinking what to cook for dinner.  Thus, they keep getting confused with questions they think have no answers while in reality the answers are right there in the Quran which they read so many times yet are unaware.  They need to tame their wandering minds while reading the Final Message of Allah. 

Secondly, their inherent lack of faith has much to do with their bewilderment.  Not just the secularists, but many practicing Muslims are also secretly aware in their hearts that they are lacking in a strong faith in Allah.  They won't say it in so many words but many of them are faithless.   I knew a lady in my country of origin who claimed to be a "Muslim" but wasted no opportunity in critisizing the Quran which was only because of her own limited & hostile mind. I used to watch her offering salaat but I don't know what she would be reciting in her salaat.  Once while talking about the disasters around the world, her ignorance also went to the extent of saying "Allah is alseep."   May Allah guide her even though she neither deserves guidance nor the mercy of Allah.  So, what happens is that the reality of Divine Justice being dispensed on the Day of Judgment is not taken for granted by such guilty ones.  The talk of the Day of Judgement for them is only a formality during religious discussions.  Beyond that, it has no place in their minds and hearts.  How unfortunate they are for acquiring such mindsets that has dragged them so far away from the real facts of life and afterlife.   Thus, when they read the contents of Verse 16:61 and many more, they read it as theory but they never bother to contemplate on any of the verses.  For that reason, they end up asking those same queries the answers of which are given clearer than daylight in the Noble Quran.  And because they secretly don't believe in the Last Day nor in the Noble Quran, therefore they are not even pleased when the answers to their questions are shown to them contained in the Quran.  As sister Heba said, their matter rests with Allah alone.   

Many thanks for this great post sister Ruhi.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

 

Alhumdulilah for the guidance of Allah to us.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Wise piece.  Subhan'Allah.

I would also like to add as a response to the comments of those who ask this question, that when Allah allows a sinner to have his or her way in earthly life with its temporary enjoyments, it also includes the suffering of the innocent caused by the arrogance and oppression of those guilty ones.  Those with weak faith and limited understanding often ask why the innocent are suffering.  Let me mention, all events and practices in earthly world are intertwined.  An unjust act by a wrong doer may have far-reaching affects causing the suffering of the innocent.   Similarly, the sacrifices and wise practices of the righteous ones will yield long term positive results and may also make the guilty realize their guilt.   That's why the principle of "amr bil maroof" and "nahi an al munkir" is so important to follow - that is fighting against injustice and promoting justice.   Because every event is so closely inter-connected, a minor slip can have devastating results for a long long time. 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

A very, very thoughtful addition brother pt.  The misguided act of one person can wreck the world because events have a tendency of leading from one thing to another in such an unstoppable manner.

For that reason it's also so important for parents to impart righteous teachings to their children starting with the indispensable aspect of Faith.  Otherwise, if one child goes astray, he or she can influence their other siblings, cousins and friends.  As a result, one kafir on the loose can result in the proliferation of scores of them with the passage of time.  And after 18 or 20 year when those kids turn into adults, they become a lost cause     May Allah save our children from acquiring such a dreadful path.  It can be avoided if we, as parents, perform our duty with love, care and attention with the full guidance of Allah.  Ameen ya Allah.    Please grant us and our descendants protection from evil.  

[N. Truth Seeker]

Ameen, ameen.    Your thoughts are going in a very correct direction my sister.  May Allah reward you for such wisdom.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Ameen ya Rab.  I'm so happy to be in the midst of such good company.

Thanks for the appreciation of my post and for your very wise comment.   

And yes .. one needs to be careful of one's conduct and how they bring up their children.  A single slip caused by setting a single negative trend in a family can have far-reaching devastating affects for generations.    We seek refuge in Allah from the misguidance of the misguided.

[Zainab_M]

May Allah Almighty bless you, br. pt and sis Heba, for further enlightening our readers with more of Allah's guidance.    Your points are indeed indispensable for acquiring right guidance.

Ameen.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

And here are two more verses that express the same concept as Verse 16:61.

"Thy Lord is the Forgiver, Full of Mercy. If He took them to task (now) for what they earn, He would hasten on the doom for them; but theirs is an appointed term from which they will find no escape."  (18:58) Al-Kahf.

"And but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord, and a term already fixed, the judgment would have been inevitable (in this world)."  (20:129)  Ta Ha. 

[Zainab_M]

Yes, exactly.  Many thanks dear sister Heba.