The Secret of Why God Does Not Immediately Punish the Disbelievers

One of the secrets revealed in the Qur'an is that people are not repaid immediately for the wrong acts they commit, but punishment is deferred until a specified time. This is related in verses as follows:

If God were to take mankind to task for what they have earned, He would not leave a single creature crawling on the surface (of the earth), but He is deferring them until a specified time. Then, when their time comes, God sees His servants! (Surah Fatir: 45)

Your Lord is The Ever-Forgiving, The Possessor of Mercy. If He had taken them to task for what they have earned, He would have hastened their punishment. Instead, they have a promised appointment and they will not find any refuge from it. (Surat al-Kahf: 58)

That many people are not immediately repaid for their wrong actions may lead them to think that they will never be held accountable for their evil acts. This presumption hinders them from asking for repentance, feeling regret and rectifying their errors. Furthermore, this adds to their insolence. Being bereft of wisdom, they cannot foresee that this will render their punishment even more unbearable in the hereafter. In the Qur'an, God states the following:

Those who disbelieve should not imagine that the extra time We grant to them is good for them. We only allow them more time so they will increase in evildoing. They will have a humiliating punishment. (Surah Ali 'Imran: 178)

This is a delay created by God only to put man to the test. However, there is surely an appointed time in the sight of God so that every man can be repaid for what he has engaged in. When this appointed time is over, it can neither be delayed nor drawn closer, not for a moment. God informs us that everyone will certainly be repaid:

And were it not for a decree that has already gone forth from your Lord, and a specified term, (their punishment) would have inevitably taken place already. (Surah Ta Ha: 129)

I will give them more time. My subtle scheme is sure. (Surat al-A'raf: 183)