[Pooya/Ali Commentary 15:4] For every people, as for every individual, there is a definite period of life or existence. They have a free choice to mould their will according to Allah's will in order to identify themselves with His universal law. During that period they are given plenty of rope but after the respite is past there will be no escape. No one can hasten or delay the doom. The destruction of a people is not an arbitrary punishment from Allah. They bring it on themselves by their own choice. The law or decree of Allah is always made known to them before hand, and in many ways. See commentary of Ali Imran: 145; Araf: 34 and Yunus: 49.