﴿ أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍۢ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ ﴾

“or take them to task through slow decay? And yet, behold, your Sustainer is most compassionate, a dispenser of grace!”

(Or that He will not seize them with a gradual wasting) of their leaders and companions? (Lo! thy Lord is indeed Full of Pity, Merciful!) towards him who repents; it is also said that this means: He is full of pity in that He defers His punishment.