وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
وَلَولا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَت مِن رَبِّكَ لَكانَ لِزامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى
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 had not a command of your Lord been passed, then the punishment would have gripped them – and had a term not been appointed.
And but for a word that preceded from thy Lord, and a stated term, it had been fastened.
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 had not a word from thy Lord gone forth, and a term determined, it must necessarily have come.
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).
Were it not for a word that issued from your Lord, the inevitable would have happened, but there is an appointed term.
Were it not for a word already gone from your Lord, the decree (of their destruction) would have come to pass.
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).
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).
Were it not for a prior decree of your Lord and a specified time, [their doom] would have attended [their guilt].
Except for a Word that preceded from your Lord, and a stated term, it had been fastened.
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].
Had not the word of your Lord been decreed (otherwise), the unbelievers deserved immediate punishment. The appointed time for their punishment will inevitably come.
And had there not been a word (that had) already gone forth from your Lord and an appointed term, it would surely have been made to cleave (to them).
But for a pre-ordained Word from your Lord, and a term [of respite] already fixed, immediate punishment would inevitably have taken place.
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).