those whom they invoke are themselves seeking a way of approach to their lord vying with each other to be near him. they hope for his mercy and fear his punishment. surely the punishment of your lord is to be feared there is not a town but we shall destroy or sternly punish it before the day of judgement. that is recorded in the book.
أولئك الذين يدعون يبتغون إلى ربهم الوسيلة أيهم أقرب ويرجون رحمته ويخافون عذابه إن عذاب ربك كان محذورا وإن من قرية إلا نحن مهلكوها قبل يوم القيامة أو معذبوها عذابا شديدا كان ذلك في الكتاب مسطورا