وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى
Wenn es nicht ein schon früher ergangenes Wort von deinem Herrn und eine festgesetzte Frist gäbe, wäre (die sofortige Strafe) fürwahr unabwendbar.
Und gäbe es nicht einen früher ergangenen Spruch deines Herrn und eine festgesetzte Frist, wäre dieses Los (auch jetzt) unabwendbar.
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).
Had it not been for a decree already issued by your Lord, and for a term already appointed (by Him), the judgment (against them) would certainly have been given and executed.
But for a word (of promise) already made by your Lord and the term (already) fixed (for them), the inevitable would surely have befallen them by now.
Now were it not for a decree that has already gone forth from thy Sustainer, setting a term 112 [for each sinner's repentance], it would inescapably follow [that all who sin must be doomed at once]. 113
And had not a word from thy Lord gone forth, and a term determined, it must necessarily have come.
And had not a command of your Lord been passed, then the punishment would have gripped them - and had a term not been appointed.
Is it not guidance for them to know how many generations We have destroyed before them, amidst whose dwelling-places they walk? Verily, in that are signs to men of thought (or intelligence).
And was it not for a word/sermon preceded from your Lord, (it) would have been necessity/obligation and (a) named/identified term/time.
Had it not been already decreed by your Rabb and a term for respite been appointed, they would have been punished.
Does it not manifest to them how many of the generations, in whose dwellings they go about, We destroyed before them? Surely there are signs in this for men of understanding.
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 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).
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).
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).
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).