This verse came to mind while reading about the attack in Iraq. It’s fitting given some of the historical context in which members of the Holy Household (as) have used it.
وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُواْ إِثْمًا وَلَهُمُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And let not those who disbelieve think that Our granting them respite is better for their souls; We grant them respite only that they may add to their sins; and they shall have a disgraceful chastisement. 3:178
After putting the Prophet's mind at rest regarding the unbelievers' falling into unbelief hastily, and explaining that in all this they are in fact subsequent to Allah's plan, Who is driving them to a stage where they shall have no share in the hereafter, Allah now turns to the unbelievers themselves. He tells them that they should not be happy with the respite granted to them by Allah, because Allah through this respite is giving them a chance to pile up sins over sins, and behind it all there is a disgraceful chastisement waiting for them — there is nothing for them except shame and ignominy in the hereafter. This all is based on the divinely established system of completion that every creature should bring his potentials to fruition, according to his own choice.1
(2) History details that when Yazid, the caliph of the time, had Imam Hussain (as) slain, the house-hold members of the Imam, including Sayyeda Zaynab (as), were taken to Syria as captives. In his meeting, Yazid proudly addressed Sayyeda Zaynab (as) and said:
"Did you see that Allah is with us?"
As her answer to him, Zaynab (as) recited this very verse, and added:
"I know your rank is low and little and it is deserving for any despising. Do whatever you wish, but by Allah, beware that you cannot quench the light of Allah', (our remembrance)."
Yes, for such luxurious people, the abasing torment has been prepared in order that their imaginary worldly honor be accompanied with abasement and degradation in the Hereafter. However, criminals are divided into two groups: One group are those who are improvable, and Allah warns and awakens them by admonition, and by pleasant and unpleasant events. The second group are those who cannot be guided. Allah leaves them alone to themselves so that their eligibility of corruption appears. That is why Imam Baqir (as) in an explanation of this verse said:
"Death is a bounty for the infidels, because the longer they live, the more sin they commit."
2. Enlightening Commentary of the Holy Quran
3. Nur -uth-Thaqalayn, vol. l, p. 413
