4:145 The hypocrites will be committed to the lowest pit of Hell, and you will find no one to help them.
4:146 Only those who repent, reform, hold fast to GOD, and devote their religion absolutely to GOD alone, will be counted with the believers. GOD will bless the believers with a great recompense.
4:147 What will GOD gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
Can you conclude that those who believe and are appreciative that are not going to get punished?
Yes. Anything that happens to the believers and those who are appreciative is for their own good. Punishment is a consequence; God guides the believers to purify them and allow them to increase in belief. When you are appreciative you are appreciative all the time not just when things are going well. If we are believers we need to understand that everything happens to us is for our good.
Believe For Your Own Good
39:7 If you disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone. But He dislikes to see His servants make the wrong decision. If you decide to be appreciative, He is pleased for you. No soul bears the sins of any other soul. Ultimately, to your Lord is your return, then He will inform you of everything you had done. He is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
Look at the example of Joseph. From an outside observer who saw Joseph’s life during any of his adversities it would have looked like it was for his detriment, but in actuality it was for his benefit.
Appreciative vs Unappreciative
14:7 Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank Me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.
Everything that we have belongs to God that is on loan to us during our temporary time on this planet. Complaining turning something to a negative is a lack of trust in God.
Traits of the Believers
42:37 They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.
42:38 They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).
42:39 When gross injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights.
42:40 Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust.
42:41 Certainly, those who stand up for their rights, when injustice befalls them, are not committing any error.
42:42 The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution.
42:43 Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.
As believers we should never see anything in our life as a punishment unless we are knowingly committing sin. Even if it is a pinch it is for our own good. God never punishes the believers, any hardship believers go through is for their own good.
Punishment:
▸to make someone suffer because they have done something against the law or against the rules
▸to make someone suffer as a result of something they have done
Individuals who go from belief to disbelief are not immune from retribution:
Greater Miracles Bring Greater Responsibility*
5:114 Said Jesus, the son of Mary, “Our god, our Lord, send down to us a feast from the sky. Let it bring plenty for each and every one of us, and a sign from You. Provide for us; You are the best Provider.” Footnote
5:115 GOD said, “I am sending it down. Anyone among you who disbelieves after this, I will punish him as I never punished anyone else.”*
12:42 He then said to the one to be saved “Remember me at your lord.”* Thus, the devil caused him to forget his Lord, and, consequently, he remained in prison a few more years.
32:21 We let them taste the smaller retribution (of this world), before they incur the greater retribution (of the Hereafter), that they may (take a hint and) reform.
8:33 However, GOD is not to punish them while you are in their midst; GOD is not to punish them while they are seeking forgiveness.