In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong. [Al-A’raf 182-183]

سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم

“We shall gradually seize them with punishment” by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, thus, they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied – harming themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allah said:

إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Certainly My Plan is strong. [1]

Imam Sufyan Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that this means:

Whenever they commit sins, Allah bestows a blessing on them and make them forgetful of seeking forgiveness. [2]

[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Al-Mukhallisiyaat 2352