Historical Lessons

Then you turned away after that. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers.

And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded [them] and a lesson for those who fear Allah.

Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them which We had established upon the earth as We have not established you? And We sent [rain from] the sky upon them in showers and made rivers flow beneath them; then We destroyed them for their sins and brought forth after them a generation of others.

Say, "Travel through the land; then observe how was the end of the deniers."

[You disbelievers are] like those before you; they were stronger than you in power and more abundant in wealth and children. They enjoyed their portion [of worldly enjoyment], and you have enjoyed your portion as those before you enjoyed their portion, and you have engaged [in vanities] like that in which they engaged. [It is] those whose deeds have become worthless in this world and in the Hereafter, and it is they who are the losers.

Then We made you successors in the land after them so that We may observe how you will do.

So when there came to them the truth from Us, they said, "Indeed, this is obvious magic."

And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.

And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.

And how many a generation have We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and [outward] appearance?

And how many have We destroyed before them of generations? Do you perceive of them anyone or hear from them a sound?

They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.

But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? So it is they who will overcome?

Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all.

And We have certainly left of it a sign as clear evidence for a people who use reason.

Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were associators [of others with Allah].

And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done with their kind before. Indeed, they were in disquieting denial.