The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Verily, Allah Most High gives rope to the oppressor so that when He seizes him, he does not get away.” The he صلى الله عليه وسلم recited:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَىٰ وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

“Such is the iron grip of your Lord when He seizes the cities which do wrong. His grip is painful, violent.” [Hud, 11:102]

Bukhari on the authority of Abu Musa