Surah Al-Imran (3:178)

وَلَا يَحۡسَبَنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّمَا نُمۡلِىۡ لَهُمۡ خَيۡرٌ لِّاَنۡفُسِهِمۡؕ اِنَّمَا نُمۡلِىۡ لَهُمۡ لِيَزۡدَادُوۡۤا اِثۡمًا ۚ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيۡنٌ‏ ۝

Wala yahsabanna allatheenakafaroo annama numlee lahum khayrun li-anfusihim innamanumlee lahum liyazdadoo ithman walahum AAathabunmuheen

And let not those who disbelieve ever think that because We extend their time of enjoyment it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Delay is a Test: Allowing the transgressors time to accumulate sin.

The Insight

God allows the disbelievers time to live and accumulate sin; this delay is not a sign of approval. Understand divine patience. Do not be fooled by the prosperity of the wicked. Their prolonged life is not a reward, but an opportunity for them to increase their spiritual debt, making their punishment inevitable.