Jonah
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE[10:11]
NOW IF GOD were to hasten for human beings the ill [which they deserve by their sinning] in the same manner as they [themselves] would hasten [the coming to them of what they consider to be] good, their end would indeed come forthwith! But We leave them alone [for a while] – all those who do not believe that they are destined to meet Us: [We leave them alone] in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro.

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* v.11 : Lit., “[the end of] their term would indeed have been decreed for them”: the implication being, firstly, that man is weak (cf. 4:28) and therefore prone to sinning; secondly, that God “has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy” (see 6:12 and the corresponding note) and, consequently, does not punish sinners without taking their circumstances into consideration and giving them time to repent and to mend their ways.
* See verse 7, with which this verse connects.
* These three metaphorical expressions are often used in the Qur’ān to describe the various situations in which man may find himself. The “calling unto God” under the stress of misfortune describes the instinctive reaction of many people who consider themselves “agnostics” and in their conscious thinking refuse to believe in God. See also verses 22-23 below, as well as 6:40-41.