The Qur'an has threatened people with the consequences of...

The Qur'an has threatened people with the consequences of injustice towards orphans and has said: “And let those fear (from hurting orphans) who, if they left behind them weak seed, would be afraid on their account, and let them fear Allah.” (4: 9) Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: “Allah has allotted two punishments for consuming the property of orphans, a torment in this world and a retribution in the next.” Sometimes the afflictions and blights from which a man suffers are the result of bad deeds which originate from him, and truly retribution will come in this world till that person becomes aware of what he is doing and ceases from it.

In many ayahs, the Qur'an explains this matter. “Whatever affliction visits you is for what your own hands have earned.” (42:30) “So let those who go against His command beware, lest a trial befall them, or there befall them a painful chastisement.” (24:63) “Allah changes not what is in a people, until they change what is in themselves.” (13: 11) Some tribes and peoples who rebelled against the prophets of God sometimes saw the worldly punishment for their deeds in the world itself.

The Qur'an narrates the tortues of the people of Nuh, the people of Hud, the people of Salih, the people of Lut and the people of Shu'ayb and others.[^1] These retributions are a living witness to the fact that Cod, the Just and Merciful is no. pleased with evil-doing and oppression and will give complete rewards for all deeds in another world. Generally, tile retributions of this world are a sample of the complete retributions for deeds in the other world.

And anyone who takes notice of the rewards of this world will soon see that man is not left to himself, and will meet with an exact reckoning in the next world for all his deeds and behaviour. It must be remembered that it is sometimes necessary for the building and perfecting of righteous individuals that troubles and hardships should occur, and these should in no way be thought of as rewards.

Thus, also, some evil-doers may not get the just reward they deserve for their deeds, but this is not a proof that they are subject to a special grace from God, or that they have been overlooked, for their punishment will be meted out to them in the next world.

About people being believers or unbelievers, and in description of what will be given to the unbelievers in hell and the believers in heaven, it says: “Then as for him who was insolent and preferred the life of the world, surely Hell shall the refuge.