[1]

This is a severe warning. Who has the audacity to even imagine opposing Allah Almighty and His Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم?  When this verse was revealed, those Companions who were involved with usury-related dealings immediately ceased their activities and repented. In contrast, quasi-Islamic thinkers today are at war with Allah Almighty as they write books and articles about the importance of usury instead of repenting.

[2]

Although this verse is about usury, it applies to life in general too as the Shari‘ah and human reason necessitate that oppression is neither done nor tolerated; there should be a concerted effort to eradicate oppression as sometimes tolerating it can motivate the oppressor. If there is a situation where forgiveness is possible, then this would be preferred.