Gradual Seizure (Istidraj) in the Holy Quran

﴿ فَلَوۡلَآ إِذۡ جَآءَهُم بَأۡسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ وَلَٰكِن قَسَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ * فَلَمَّا نَسُواْ مَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِۦ فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ أَبۡوَٰبَ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَرِحُواْ بِمَآ أُوتُوٓاْ أَخَذۡنَٰهُم بَغۡتَةٗ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبۡلِسُونَ * فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْۚ وَٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ﴾ [Al-An‘ām: 43-45]

(43) Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.

(44) So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were [then] in despair.

(45) So the people that committed wrong were eliminated. And praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

Surah: Al-An‘ām - Verse: 43-44-45 - Juz: 7 - Page: 132

﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا سَنَسۡتَدۡرِجُهُم مِّنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ * وَأُمۡلِي لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ كَيۡدِي مَتِينٌ ﴾ [Al-A‘rāf: 182-183]

(182) But those who deny Our signs - We will progressively lead them [to destruction] from where they do not know.

(183) And I will give them time. Indeed, my plan is firm.

Surah: Al-A‘rāf - Verse: 182-183 - Juz: 9 - Page: 174

﴿ذَرۡهُمۡ يَأۡكُلُواْ وَيَتَمَتَّعُواْ وَيُلۡهِهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَلُۖ فَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ ﴾ [Al-Ḥijr: 3]

(3) Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.

Surah: Al-Ḥijr - Verse: 3 - Juz: 14 - Page: 262

﴿بَلۡ مَتَّعۡنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ طَالَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡعُمُرُۗ أَفَلَا يَرَوۡنَ أَنَّا نَأۡتِي ٱلۡأَرۡضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنۡ أَطۡرَافِهَآۚ أَفَهُمُ ٱلۡغَٰلِبُونَ ﴾ [Al-Anbiyā’: 44]

(44) But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? So it is they who will overcome?

Surah: Al-Anbiyā’ - Verse: 44 - Juz: 17 - Page: 325

﴿ أَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٖ وَبَنِينَ * نُسَارِعُ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِۚ بَل لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ * إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشۡفِقُونَ ﴾ [Al-Mu’minūn: 55-57]

(55) Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children

(56) Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive.

(57) Indeed, they who are apprehensive from fear of their Lord

Surah: Al-Mu’minūn - Verse: 55-56-57 - Juz: 18 - Page: 345