Tafsir Ibn Abbas: Ghafir, Ayah 82
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةًۭ وَءَاثَارًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.
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Have they not travelled across the land to see the nature of the consequence for those before them? They were more powerful than them in might and in their vestiges on earth in the way of large structures and palaces. But what they used to earn did not avail them.
Ibn Abbas Commentary
(Have they not) i.e. the people of Mecca (travelled in the land to see) to reflect on (the nature of the consequence for) on the requital of (those before them) how We destroy them when they disbelieved in their messengers? (They were more numerous than these) than the people of Mecca, (and mightier in power) in physical strength (and (in the) traces (which they left behind them) in the earth) they were keener on the life of this world and travelled more than them in seeking it. (But all that they used to earn) and say and do upon following their religions (availed them not) from Allah's punishment.