59 Preface وَتِلكَ القُرىٰ أَهلَكناهُم لَمّا ظَلَموا وَجَعَلنا لِمَهلِكِهِم مَوعِدًاYusuf AliSuch were the populations we destroyed when they committed iniquities; but we fixed an appointed time for their destruction.1The instances of exemplary Punishment in former times were also subject to this rule, that God gives plenty of rope to the wicked, in case they might turn, repent, and obtain His Mercy.