سورة القلم

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): Umar ibn Yazid said: I said to Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): I asked Allah the Mighty and Majestic to grant me wealth and He granted it, and I asked Allah to grant me a child and He granted me a child, and I asked Him to grant me a house and He granted it. I fear that Allah is testing me and wishes to take me to account little by little. He said: "No, by Allah, if you give thanks, there is no harm in it."

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): Whenever Allah wishes good for a servant, if he commits a sin, Allah involves him in some difficulty and reminds him of seeking forgiveness. But whenever He wishes to seize him, if a sin proceeds from him, He grants him a blessing and makes him forget seeking forgiveness and gives him respite. This is the meaning of the verse in which He said: سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَیْثُ لا یَعْلَمُونَ [We will overtake them by degrees from whence they do not know] — that is, at the time of sin He grants them respite.

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَیْثُ لا یَعْلَمُونَ [We will overtake them by degrees from whence they do not know] — that is, by granting them strength at the time of [committing] sins [He gives them respite].

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَیْثُ لَا یَعْلَمُونَ [We will overtake them by degrees from whence they do not know] is a warning against committing sins.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him): سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَیْثُ لا یَعْلَمُونَ [We will overtake them by degrees, from whence they perceive not]; whenever they commit a new sin, [Allah] grants them a new blessing and gradually draws them towards the harm and punishment which they deserve on account of the disbelief they have already sent ahead of themselves.

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): If a servant commits a sin and a new blessing reaches him and he abandons seeking forgiveness, he is subject to divine mockery and retribution.