People of Various Cities

Have they not travelled the land and seen the fate of those before them? They were greater in number and strength, but nothing could protect them.

Have they not travelled the earth and seen the fate of those before them? Allah destroyed them utterly, and the same awaits the disbelievers.

We sent only men as messengers before you, revealing Our guidance to them. Have they not travelled the earth and seen the fate of those before them?

When the messengers despaired and thought they had been denied, Our help came to them. We saved whom We willed

Indeed, in their stories is a profound lesson for those of understanding.

That is because Allah is the protector of those who believe, while the disbelievers have no protector.

Allah sets forth a parable: a city once secure and prosperous, its provisions coming abundantly. But it denied Allah’s blessings, so He made it taste hunger and fear for what they used to do.

For every nation, there is a fixed term. When their time comes, they cannot delay it nor hasten it.

They have passed by the town upon which We sent a devastating rain, have they not seen it? Yet they do not expect resurrection.

Whenever We sent a prophet to a town, We afflicted its people with hardship and adversity, so they might humble themselves.

Then We replaced hardship with ease, until they prospered and said, “Our forefathers also faced hardship and ease.” Then We seized them suddenly, while they were unaware.

Had the people of the towns believed and been mindful, We would have showered blessings upon them from the heavens and the earth. But they rejected the truth, so We seized them for what they had earned.

Did the people of the towns feel secure that Our punishment would not come upon them by night while they slept?

Or did they feel secure that Our punishment would not strike them by day while they played?

Did they feel safe from Allah’s plan? None feel secure from Allah’s plan except those who are truly lost.

Has it not become clear to those who inherit the land after its former people that, if We will, We can strike them for their sins and seal their hearts so they do not hear?

We have narrated to you the stories of those before. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they refused to believe in what they had rejected before. This is how We seal the hearts of the disbelievers.

Whenever they make a covenant, some among them break it, most of them do not truly believe.

We found most of them untrue to their covenants. We found most of them to be corrupt.

Allah sealed their hearts, so they do not understand.

Tell them the story of the man to whom We gave Our signs, but he abandoned them. Satan pursued him, and he became one of the misguided.

Had We willed, We could have elevated him through Our signs, but he clung to the earth and followed his desires. He is like a dog, panting whether you chase it away or leave it alone. This is the example of those who reject Our signs. So, narrate the stories, so they may reflect.

How terrible is the example of those who reject Our signs and wrong themselves!

and the dwellers of the forest, all were confederates.

The people of the Wood denied the messengers.

The people of the forest were also wrongdoers.

So, We took vengeance upon them, and both remain as visible examples.

So, My warning was fulfilled.

These are the accounts of past cities; we relate them to you. Some remain standing, while others have been completely erased.

We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Their gods, whom they invoked besides Allah, did nothing to help them when your Lord’s command came. Instead, they only increased their ruin.

If only there had been people of wisdom among the generations before you, who could have prevented corruption in the land! But only a few among them did so, and We saved them. The wrongdoers pursued their luxuries and became guilty.

Your Lord would not unjustly destroy a city while its people were striving for righteousness.

No nation can advance its time, nor delay it.

Then We raised other generations after them.