The Quran

Preface

فَاصبِر كَما صَبَرَ أُولُو العَزمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَلا تَستَعجِل لَهُم ۚ كَأَنَّهُم يَومَ يَرَونَ ما يوعَدونَ لَم يَلبَثوا إِلّا ساعَةً مِن نَهارٍ ۚ بَلاغٌ ۚ فَهَل يُهلَكُ إِلَّا القَومُ الفاسِقونَ

Yusuf Ali

Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the (Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment)¹ promised them, (it will be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day. (Thine but) to proclaim the Message:² but shall any be destroyed except those who transgress?

All spiritual work proceeds in its own good time. We should never be impatient either about its success or about the punishment which is bound to come for those who oppose it or wish to suppress it. The inevitable punishment is spoken of as the Punishment promised. It will come so soon and so suddenly that it will appear as if there was not the delay of a single hour in a single day! Time is a great factor in our affairs in this world, but it hardly counts in the spiritual Kingdom.
The Preacher’s duty is to proclaim the Message in unmistakable terms. If any human beings come in the way, it will be to their own destruction; but none but rebellious transgressors will be punished. There is always hope and forgiveness for repentance and amendment.