20. Surah Taha, Verse 129

And had it not been for a word already given by your Lord, they would have been held to account immediately.

Now if it were not for a decree that has already been issued by your Lord, setting a term, (the Law of Respite), the Ultimate Requital would have come upon them at once.

And were it not for a word that preceded from thy Lord and a stated term it would have been requisite.

And had it not been for a word already given by your Lord, they would have been held to account immediately.

Had it not been for a word already given by your Lord, they would have been held to account immediately.

And were it not for a prior word from your Lord, and a specified term, it would inevitably have already taken place.

If it were not for your Lord's predetermined plan, they would have been judged immediately.

If the decree (of respite) had not been pronounced by your Lord, (the inevitable judgement would have ensued); but a term is fixed (for everything).

And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, punishment would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].

Now were it not for a decree that has already gone forth from thy Sustainer, setting a term [for each sinner's repentance], it would inescapably follow [that all who sin must be doomed at once].

And but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord, and a term already fixed, the judgment would have been inevitable (in this world).

Had it not been for Allah's word proclaimed beforehand -to put punishment in respite- it would have been timely to plant their Hereafter in the now, but We grant them respite up to a predetermined point of time.

If it was not in account of a pre-determined plan of your Lord (to give man some time and try him in his freedom of choice, ) they would have immediately been sentenced.

And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, and a term determined, (their punishment) must necessarily have come (in this world).

Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).

Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord[1] ˹O Prophet˺ and a term already set, their ˹instant˺ doom would have been inevitable.

But for a word from your Lord that had passed earlier, and an appointed time that had been fixed, it (the punishment) would have been inevitable (for them).

If it were not for a preordained Word from your Lord [Prophet], they would already have been destroyed. Their time has been set,

And but for a word that preceded from thy Lord, and a stated term, it had been fastened.

And had it not been for thy Lord's word already passed (the punishment) would have been inevitable and (at) an appointed time.

Is it not guidance for them to know how many generations We have destroyed before them, amidst whose dwelling-places they walk? Verily, in that are signs to men of thought (or intelligence).

And had it not been for a Word that had gone before from your Lord and a stated term, indeed (torment) (i. e., torment for disobedience) would have been an imposition.

And unless a decree had previously gone forth from thy Lord for their respite, verily their destruction had necessarily followed: But there is a certain time determined by God for their punishment.

And if it was not for a Word that came before from your Lord, (the punishment) must necessarily have come: But there is a time appointed (for respite).

But for a word (of promise) already made by your Lord and the term (already) fixed (for them), the inevitable would surely have befallen them by now.

And were it not for a prior decree of your Lord and a specified time, it was inevitable.