A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The divine law of granting respite to the disbelievers coincides with the divine law of testing the believers.
The law of granting respite to the disbelievers and leading them on by degrees often coincides
with the law of testing the believers and purifying them.
The destruction of the disbelievers is not realized until after the believers have been purified
and prepared to assume authority following the demise of the disbelievers.
Otherwise, if the disbelievers were to be destroyed before the believers were prepared,
then who would succeed them?
Allah the Exalted has said:
“And that Allah may prove those who believe, and may blight the disbelievers.” (3:141)
Thus, He—glory be to Him—mentioned purification before destruction.
Perhaps the appearance of these two laws in consecutive verses in Surah Al 'Imran
indicates their simultaneity and interdependence,
and that one prepares the way for the other.
The Exalted says:
“And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178)
“And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.” (3:178)
And for them is a humiliating punishment.
“It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179)
“It is not (the purpose) of Allah to leave you in your present state till He shall separate the wicked from the good. And it is not (the purpose of) Allah to let you know the Unseen. But Allah chooseth of His messengers whom He will, (to receive knowledge thereof). So believe in Allah and His messengers. If ye believe and ward off (evil), yours will be a vast reward.” (3:179)