And had there not been a word (that had) already gone forth from your Lord and an appointed term, it would surely have been made to cleave (to them).

And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them out of envy among themselves; and had not a word gone forth from your Lord till an appointed term, certainly judgment would have been given between them; and those who were made to inherit the Book after them are most surely in disquieting doubt concerning it.