﴿ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌۭ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًۭا وَأَجَلٌۭ مُّسَمًّۭى ﴾

“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 but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord) that their punishment shall be postponed, (and a term already fixed) for this nation, (the judgement would (have) been inevitable (in this world)) their punishment would have been inevitable.