This is a conveyance from the Prophet (saws) to all of creation, that the happenings in the universe are carried out by Allah (swt) according to His Divine Will and at the times not known except by Him. From here, the truthfulness of the Prophet (saws) is manifested, as he does not claim that these matters are in his hands, nor does he claim that he judges what is the truth, punishes people and knows the knowledge of the unseen. He tells us that all these matters are indeed up to Allah.
Allah’s (swt) wisdom in delaying the punishment till an appointed time is for several reasons, among them:
Firstly: So that the doors of repentance can remain open.
Secondly: Due to this delaying, some of the polytheists become emboldened to speak out against Allah (swt) and the believers and go deeper and deeper into disbelief, such that they say: ‘What is it that is stopping this punishment from afflicting us? Therefore, it does not exist!’ This is a form of challenge posed by the disbelievers to the Prophet (saws), but it in fact gives faith its splendor, for the more they continue challenging him, the stronger the faith in the hearts of the Prophet (saws) and the believers, until Allah (swt) inherits the earth and everyone on it.
( وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالظَّالِمِينَ… ) (…but Allah is most knowing of the wrongdoers.”): There is truth and falsehood, night and day and good and evil. The existence of these opposites reinforces the values found in faith. If Allah (swt) had willed, all of creation would have believed. However, it is the battle of truth throughout the ages, throughout history and throughout the procession of the Divine Messages.