5342 When the Muslim Brotherhood was acquiring strength in Madinah, and the forces of disruption were being discomfited in open fight against the Messenger of Righteousness, the wicked resorted to duplicity and secret intrigues, in which the ringleaders were the disaffected Jews and the Hypocrites, whose machinations have been frequently referred to in the Qur'an. E.g., see
2:8-16; and
4:142-145. 5343 The salutation of Allah was (and is) "Peace!" But the enemies, who had not the courage to fight openly often twisted the words, and by using a word like Sam, which meant "Death!" or "Destruction!" instead of Salam! (Peace!), they thought they were secretly venting their spite and yet apparendy using a polite form of salutation. Cf.
2:104, and n. 107, where another similar trick is exposed. 5344 The enemies derisively enjoyed their trick (see last note) according to their own perverted mentality. They asked blasphemously, "Why does not Allah punish us?" The answer is given; there is a Punishment, far greater than they imagine; it will come in good time; it will be the final Punishment after Judgement: it is delayed in order to give them a chance of repentance and reformation.