Tafsir of Al-Qalam 68:44

فذرني ومن يكذب بهذا الحديث

Then leave Me alone with such as belie this narration. meaning, the Qur'an. This is a sever threat which means, `leave Me alone with this person; I know about him and how I will gradually punish him and increase him in his falsehood. I am giving him respite for a while, then I will seize him with a mighty and powerful punishment.' Thus, Allah says,

سنستدرجهم من حيث ﻻ يعلمون

We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not. meaning, and they will not even be aware of it. Rather, they will believe that it is a noble blessing from Allah, but really the same matter is actually a form of humiliation (for them). This is similar to Allah's statement,

أيحسبون أنما نمدهم به من مال وبنين

نسارع لهم فى الخيرت بل ﻻ يشعرون

Do they think that in wealth and children with which We expand them, We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not. (23:55,56) Allah also said,

فلما نسوا ما ذكروا به فتحنا عليهم أبواب كل شء حتى إذا فرحوا بما أوتوا أخذنهم بغتة فٳذا هم مبلسون

So, when they forgot that which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of everything, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We punished them, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. (6:44) Therefore, Allah says here,

وأملي لهم إن كيدي متين