And for how many a city did I prolong enjoyment while it (22:48)

﴿وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَمْلَيْتُ لَهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهَا وَإِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ﴾
[ الحج: 48]

22:48 And for how many a city did I prolong enjoyment while it was committing wrong. Then I seized it, and to Me is the [final] destination.

How many towns are there which I gave respite to in punishment and which were oppressive due to their disbelief.
I did not punish them instantly, to gradually lead them on, then I seized them by an obliterating punishment.
To Me alone is their return on the Day of Judgment, then I will reward them for their disbelief with the everlasting punishment.

And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrong-doing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).

phonetic Transliteration

Wakaayyin min qaryatin amlaytu laha wahiya thalimatun thumma akhathtuha wailayya almaseeru

Abdullah Yusuf Ali - Translation

And to how many populations did I give respite, which were given to wrong-doing? in the end I punished them. To me is the destination (of all).

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrongdoing. Then I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).

Page 338 English transliteration