The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ
اللّهُ النَّاسَ
بِظُلْمِهِم
مَّا تَرَكَ
عَلَيْهَا مِن
دَآبَّةٍ...
16: 61. It Allah were to punish men for their wrongdoing, He would not leave, on the (earth), a single living creature:
... وَلَكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى...
but He gives them respite for a stated term:
... فَإِذَا جَاء أَجَلُهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلاَ يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ ﴿٦١﴾
when their term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour).
C2087. Allah's decree works without fail. If He were to punish for every wrong or shortcoming, not a single living creature on earth would escape punishment. But in His infinite mercy and forgiveness, He gives respite: He provides time for repentance.
If the repentance is forthcoming. Allah's Mercy is forthcoming without fail, if not, the punishment comes inevitably on the expiry of the Term.
The sinner cannot anticipate it by an insolent challenge, nor can he delay it when the time arrives. Let him not think that the respite given him may mean that he can do what he likes, and that he can escape scot-free from the consequences.
Others versions:
16: 61 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]
Pickthall If Allah were to take mankind to task for their wrong doing, he would not leave hereon a living creature, but He reprieveth them to an appointed term, and when their term cometh they cannot put (it) off an hour nor (yet) advance (it).
Yuksel If God were to immediately call the people to account for their transgression, then He would not leave a single creature standing. But He delays them to a determined time; so when that time comes to any of them, they cannot delay it by one moment or advance it.
Transliteration Wa lau yu'a_khizulla_hun na_sa bi zulmihim ma_ taraka 'alaiha_ min da_bbatiw wa la_kiy yu'akhkhiruhum ila_ ajalim musamma_(n), fa iza_ ja_'a ajaluhum la_ yasta'khiru_na sa_'ataw wa la_ yastaqdimu_n(a).