A STEP BY STEP PUNISHMENT (VERSES NO. 182 - 183)

      In God's universal plan and general Law, there is one kind of punishment for the guilty that comes not of a sudden. Allah will draw the sinner step by step and gradually, till he eventually meets with the torments of the damned:

      ``We gradually draw those who belie our signs, towards damnation, and seize them from where they know not.''

      Hurry and haste is the characteristic of those who are weak and impotent, and this is not true with God. He gives His servant time and respite to think and to reflect. Perhaps they repent and return to amend their wrongs. This is because He is sure of His stratagem, and that no one can play a trick on Him.

      But when His sinner servant, does not want to take God's respite as a good opportunity to amend his character, and to adjust his deeds; God's respite will automatically change into a rope, given him to hang himself!

      Therefore when we find ourself fallen into a wide variety of abundance, affluence, welfare, and ever increasing comfort, we should then beware and be warned not to be arrogant and proud, and forget not that we are all under the control of an All-aware, All-knowing, All-mighty Lord who loves justice and good deeds.