36/22. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4018 — Allah Gives Respite to the Wrongdoer
Punishments
Hadith About Allah Giving Respite to the Wrongdoer
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4018
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4018
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ فَإِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ " . ثُمَّ قَرَأَ {وَكَذَلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ} .
Abu Musa Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Allah gives respite to the wrongdoer, then when He seizes him, He does not let him go.”Then he recited: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong.”[11:102]
[1] Hud 11:102.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4018In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 93English translation : Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 4018
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4018
This Hadith about Allah giving respite to the wrongdoer is a clear warning about injustice. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that Allah gives time to the wrongdoer, but when He seizes him, He does not let him go. He then recited the verse about the seizure of the Lord when He seizes towns while they are doing wrong. The message is direct: delay should not be mistaken for safety. A person may continue in wrongdoing for a time, but the Hadith reminds us that accountability belongs to Allah. This narration also comforts those who see injustice and wonder why judgment has not come yet. The text teaches patience, fear of Allah, and trust in His justice.
What we learn from this hadith
- A delay in punishment does not mean wrongdoing is safe.
- The Hadith warns wrongdoers about Allah’s final seizure.
- The recited verse connects the warning to unjust towns.
- Believers are reminded to trust Allah’s justice even when judgment is delayed.
