وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى
[20:129]
And had there not been a word (that had) already gone forth from your Lord and an appointed term, it would surely have been made to cleave (to them).
Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).
And but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord, and a term already fixed, the judgment would have been inevitable (in this world).