IstidrÄj denotes failure to repent
When Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was asked the meaning of “IstidrÄj” he replied:
“When a person commits a sin he is given respite and a new blessing, then when he fails to repent he is slowly led towards destruction; about which he is heedless. This is known as Istedraj and ‘Allah’s Plan.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
It is related from Amir ul-Mu’minÄ«n (a.s.) that he said:
“Certainly, those who are given an increase in wealth and property by Allah, should not think anything but that it is IstidrÄj. They should not be fearless (of Allah’s plan). Because calm precedes storm.”
(BihÄr al-AnwÄr)