{ And they say, "When is this promise?" }
This is an expression of haste regarding the punishment they were promised, and a way of deeming it unlikely.
{ I possess no power of harm for myself }
Such as sickness or poverty.
{ nor benefit }
Such as health or wealth.
{ except what Allah wills }
This is an *istithna' munqati'* (disjunctive exception). It means: "However, whatever Allah wills of that shall come to pass." How, then, could I possess the power to inflict harm upon you or bring about your punishment?
{ For every nation is a term }
Meaning: Your punishment has a fixed term appointed by Allah, a limited and defined period of time.
{ When it comes }
That is, when that time arrives, your promise will be fulfilled without fail, so do not seek to hasten it. Ibn Sirin recited: "When their terms come."
{ Say, "Have you considered: if His punishment should come to you by night or by day, for what would the criminals be impatient? Is it then, when it has occurred, that you will believe in it? Now? While you were [before] impatient for it?" }
{ Then it will be said to those who had wronged, "Taste the punishment of eternity! Are you being recompensed except for what you used to earn?" }
